GAINESVILLE, Florida –October 15, 2026 – Florida agricultural producers and forestry operations impacted by Hurricane Isaias now have until November 16, 2026, to sign up for the Fiscal Year 2027 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Floridahas extended the sign-up deadline for these Fiscal Year 2027 program applications within the 27-county area declared to be in a state of emergency by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

FEMA declared a state of emergency for the following 27 Florida counties on October 9: Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Walton, Wakulla, and Washington.

As part of NRCS emergency assistance, applications for EQIP financial assistance will be accepted from agricultural producers and forestry operations impacted by Hurricane Isaias until November 16, 2026.

While NRCS accepts applications year-round, Florida producers and landowners who apply no later than November 16, 2026, to be considered for funding in the FY2027 current cycle. If applications are received after the signup period for FY2027, applications will automatically be considered during future funding cycles.

Application cutoff periods allow NRCS to screen-and-rank applications for those with the highest conservation benefits across Florida’s landscapes, including cropland, grazing lands, and private non-industrial forestlands. Applications are available at your local USDA Service Center or online on our Get Started with NRCS web page. All applicants are encouraged to call their local NRCS office before visiting to ensure it is open.

The Jay NRCS office is closed until further notice, due to Hurricane Isaias damage. However, services are available at the Molino NRCS Office located at 151 Hwy 97, Molino, FL 32577, Tel: 850-840-9083.

EQIP helps agricultural producers and non industrial forest landowners plan and implement conservation practices that integrate conservation into working lands and improve environmental quality. It provides targeted, practice based solutions to address resource concerns, supporting structural, vegetative, and management improvements.

CSP builds on this foundation by supporting whole farm stewardship, helping producers maintain existing conservation systems and adopt additional long term enhancements across their entire operation to improve natural resources and overall agricultural performance.

Application Requirements for All Programs

• Establish or update farm records with Farm Service Agency. 
• Engaged in or has a direct interest in the agricultural or forestry operation on the land offered for enrollment. 
• Comply with highly erodible land and wetland conservation requirements. 
• Meet adjusted gross income and payment limitation rules. 
• Provide documentation for signature authority. 
• Have control of the land (ownership, lease, or legal agreement). 
• Provide written landowner concurrence for structural or vegetative practices.
• Comply with tenant and sharecropper protection provisions.

NRCS has 33 field offices throughout Florida with teams ready to help landowners with conservation programs. Applications may be submitted in person at NRCS offices, by email, mail, phone, or through Farmers.gov.  Contact your local NRCS field office for more information.

NRCS has provided leadership in a partnership effort to help America's private landowners and managers conserve their soil, water, and other natural resources since 1935.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Contact:  Amber Till, Assistant State Conservationist for Financial Assistance Programs, NRCS Florida, amber.till@usda.gov