The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced the establishment of a new, national 2026 batching deadline of January 15, 2026 for many of their key programs, including EQIP and CSP.
What does this mean?
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers technical and financial assistance supporting farmers in implementing conservation practices on their farms. NRCS accepts applications year-round, but instead of funding them continuously, they use ‘batching deadlines’ to group, rank, and fund applications periodically. Applying early, especially in the first batching period, may improve funding chances depending on the program and funding availability.
Historically, these batching deadlines have varied by state and fiscal year, but they have now been grouped into a single first-batch deadline.
January 15th, 2026 is the new national deadline for participating in the programs listed below:
- Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
- Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
- Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
- Agricultural Management Assistance Program (AMA)
- New NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program (EQIP & CSP)
Interested in applying? Don’t wait!
Please contact Ariana Abbrescia, UW-Madison Extension Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Outreach Specialist, with questions.