How to Sign Up for an NRCS Conservation Program

To sign up for an NRCS conservation program and receive financial assistance, you'll first need to establish eligibility with the Farm Service Agency (FSA), which is often co-located with your local NRCS office. You'll also need to complete and submit the CPA-1200 form, which is your program application. Additionally, you'll likely need to have a conservation plan in place, which can be developed by an NRCS planner.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Establish Eligibility with FSA:
   If you're new to USDA programs, you'll need to make an appointment with the local FSA office to get a farm number and ensure you meet eligibility requirements.
   Find Your Local USDA Office
2. Complete the CPA-1200:
   This form is your official application for financial assistance from NRCS.
   View Application Forms
3. Develop a Conservation Plan (if needed):
   If you don’t already have one, an NRCS planner will assess your property and help create a conservation plan tailored to your land and goals.
4. Review Your Plan and Select Practices:
   Once your conservation plan is drafted, review it with your NRCS planner and select which practices to include in your program application.
5. Submit Your Application:
   Submit your CPA-1200 and conservation plan to NRCS for review.
6. Application Ranking and Selection:
   NRCS will rank applications based on priority, impact, and available funding. The highest-ranked projects are selected first.

For additional details, refer to the official NRCS factsheet:
Download USDA Eligibility Factsheet (PDF)

You can also visit your local USDA Service Center or explore the NRCS Applications and Forms Page for more guidance.