North Central Florida Landowners Encouraged to Apply for Financial Assistance Programs through two Regional Conservation Partnership Programs

NRCS and ACT Accepts Applications August 31 through September 30, 2026.

GAINESVILLE, Florida – August 31, 2026 – Florida landowners interested in aligning their land uses with conservation values and practices have an opportunity to apply for Entity Held Conservation Easements and Land Management Financial Assistance opportunities in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT) beginning August 31 through September 30, 2026

The NRCS and ACT will accept applications for the fiscal year 2027 through the NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The RCPP is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. The program promotes coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners who offer value-added contributions to expand their collective ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. As part of these RCPP projects, NRCS and its partners have funding to pay landowners for up to 50 percent of the value of conservation easements placed upon their land. Landowners are encouraged to seek guidance from a financial planner or tax expert to understand the IRS regulations on easements.    

In addition, landowners seeking to address resource concerns on their land may also apply for financial assistance to implement land management conservation practices such as prescribed fire, forest thinning, rotational grazing, wildlife habitat improvement, cover crop planting and stream and shoreline protection among others. 

NRCS and ACT will review applications for land eligibility, negotiate conservation easement terms, and/or develop a land management plan. Applications received after September 30th may be considered for other sign-up periods, as funding allows. ACT will also support landowners with technical assistance to develop their applications and conservation plans, as well as implement land management contracts if approved. 

ACT leads two RCPP projects in North Florida: 1) Surface to Springs and 2) Forest to Gulf. These projects target conservation funding and resources to protect wildlife habitat, surface and ground water, and working grasslands and forests. Landowners in these project areas are eligible for this conservation easement funding opportunity (see included map). Those who are within and/or touching the projects’ boundaries are eligible. Lands outside of these areas will not be eligible. The counties included (all or in part) are: Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Gilchrist, Hernando, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Sumter, Suwannee, and Union. 

Due to the complex nature of these projects, landowners interested in these funding opportunities are strongly encouraged to reach out for guidance in the options available prior to applying. Applicants will need to take appropriate steps necessary to establish farm records and certifications. 

Application Requirements:

• Establish/update farm records with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) for the applicant and the land at time of application.
• Be in compliance with highly erodible land and wetland conservation requirements.
• Applicable documentation required for signature authority.
• Have control of land, where “control” means possession of the land by ownership, lease, or other agreement.
• Be compliant with provisions for protecting the interests of tenants and sharecroppers.

The NRCS and ACT encourage landowners and farmers who are historically underserved (HU) to apply. HU farmers are defined as farmers who are beginners, socially disadvantaged, or veterans, and/or who have limited resources.

Participating in the RCPP helps secure the future of the nation’s food supply, prevents land with high conservation value from being developed or converted to a non-agricultural use, and provides public benefits including environmental quality, historic preservation, wildlife habitat, and protection of open space.

If you are a landowner interested in conserving your land in partnership with ACT and NRCS, or seeking financial assistance to address resource concerns, please contact:

Suzy Koehler, ACT RCPP Coordinator, skoehler@alachuaconservationtrust.org or 352-373-1078

George Johnson, ACT RCPP Conservation Practice Specialist, geroge@alachuaconcservationtrust.org 352-373-1089

Michael Ruiz, NRCS RCPP Coordinator, michael.ruiz@usda.gov or (352) 477-0891.

Websites linked in story: 

Natural Resources Conservation Service (Florida):  https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/florida 

Alachua Conservation Trust: https://www.alachuaconservationtrust.org/habitat-restoration/#rcpp1

Regional Conservation Partnership Program: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/rcpp-regional-conservation-partnership-program/florida/regional-conservation 

Farm Service Agency; Farmers.gov: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/online-services/farm-plus/index 

Highly Erodible Land Determinations: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/resources/guides-and-instructions/highly-erodible-land-determinations