Regional Conservation Partnership Program

• rcpp
• nrcs
• conservation

What is RCPP and how is it different?

NRCS describes RCPP as a program where partners such as conservation districts, nonprofits, tribes, industry groups and local governments design a conservation project and bring their own contributions. NRCS reviews the proposals and, if selected, helps deliver funding to producers inside the project area.

That structure means you usually cannot apply to RCPP on your own. You apply to join a selected project that covers your land and your resource concern.

Because projects are selected through competition, being in a project area does not guarantee a contract. Funding is limited, and producers are ranked alongside others.

How do you find a project near you?

Start with the NRCS RCPP pages for your state, which describe active projects. Your conservation district and local NRCS office will also know which partners are signing up producers.

Ask the partner organization for the project boundaries, the practices it focuses on and its signup dates. Projects are tied to places and goals, so a farm outside the boundary may not qualify.

If no project covers your area, ask the local office whether one is expected. Partners sometimes reapply, and your interest can help show local demand.

How do producers get paid?

Producers in a project generally work through NRCS programs, such as EQIP or easement programs, under the project's rules. NRCS explains in its materials that RCPP uses those authorities, which means regular program rules for things like eligibility and payment limits still apply.

Confirm the specifics with NRCS rather than assuming. Ask which program your contract falls under, what practices are eligible, and how payment is made.

Ask what documents you must bring, such as proof of control of the land, an operation plan and basic farm records. Having them ready speeds the process.

• Which program authority applies to my contract
• What practices are eligible
• How and when payment is made
• What rules apply to my land after signing

What should you ask the partner before signing?

Partners often add outreach, planning help or extra practices. Ask what they provide, what they expect from you and for how long. Ask if any of the benefits depend on funds that may run out.

If a project includes a long-term agreement or easement, take your time. Easements affect what you and later owners can do with the land, so read every term and talk to an attorney.

Consider asking other participants about their experience. Neighbors who have worked with the partner can tell you how responsive the team is and how long the process took.

How do the steps usually go?

Typically you contact the partner or NRCS, confirm that your land is in the project area, complete the same basic paperwork required of other NRCS applicants, and get your application ranked against others in the pool.

Ranking means a good fit with the project's goals matters. Bring a clear picture of the resource concern on your land, such as erosion, water quality or habitat, and what you plan to do about it.

If you rent land, bring written permission from the landlord for any practice that affects the land for longer than your lease.

What mistakes should producers avoid?

Do not start practices before you have an approved contract unless NRCS says in writing that it is allowed. Do not assume that every project accepts every farm. And do not sign an easement without understanding how it affects your land value and future plans.

If someone contacts you asking for a fee to enroll you in a conservation program, treat it as a warning sign. Enrollment through NRCS and its partners does not require payment for access.

Why might a partner be involved at all?

Partners often bring something NRCS alone cannot, such as local trust, additional funding, outreach to farmers who rarely use USDA programs or technical help in a specific area. They may also coordinate several farms to work on a shared problem, like a watershed.

For you, that can mean practical help, such as someone who walks you through the application and follows up on deadlines. It can also mean more paperwork if the partner has extra reporting needs, so ask what is expected before you commit.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Money & Grants Editorial Team. Educational only, not tax, legal or financial advice. See our editorial policy.