SALINA, KANSAS, Wednesday, September 28, 2026 ‒ Chad Volkman, Acting State Conservationist for Kansas, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), announced that producers in Greeley and Wichita Counties in Kansas are eligible to receive financial assistance under the Groundwater Recharge and Sustainability Project (GRASP). Funded by the NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), GRASP is a locally led USDA partnership program and will address declining aquifer levels by assisting producers with implementing voluntary irrigation conservation and efficiency practices and by restoring playas to increase groundwater recharge.

Applications for RCPP are accepted year-round, but the final deadline to apply for Fiscal Year 2027 funding will be Friday, October 30, 2026. Applications received prior to the deadline will be planned, assessed, ranked, and will be approved based on the ranking score as funding allows.

“Applications that focus on playa conservation and restoration efforts near municipal and domestic water wells will receive ranking priority. Supporting recharge where it is needed most will result in water that can be used by generations” said Volkman. “Annual rental payments are available for lands devoted to playa restoration acres.”

GRASP is supported by a diverse group of partners including Greeley and Wichita County Conservation Districts, Kansas Association of Conservation Districts, Kansas Department of Agriculture, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Kansas Groundwater Management District #1, Kansas Water Office, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Playa Lakes Joint Venture and Wildlife Conservation Society.

Applicants can apply at the Greeley or Wichita County USDA Service Centers.

To learn more about NRCS programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also apply for NRCS programs, manage conservation plans and contracts, and view and print conservation maps by logging into their farmers.gov account. If you do not have an account, sign up today.

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