STILLWATER, Okla., (Oct. 6, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) established a state December 18th, batching deadline for the second funding round of key conservation programs. This state batching date ensures producers have a clear, consistent timeline for participating in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program(ACEP), and Environmental Quality Incentives Program(EQIP).

“The NRCS team continues its commitment to Oklahoma’s producers — advancing conservation, strengthening service delivery, and keeping our promise to the men and women who feed and fuel our nation,” said Acting NRCS State Conservationist Matthew Denton.

NRCS programs are continuous sign-up programs. However, Oklahoma NRCS is implementing a second batching period to ensure producers have access to funding.

Second batching period applications will be considered for funding to meet national and state priorities if all applications for those priorities are exhausted during the first sign-up.

Updated NRCS Program Timelines

• All NRCS conservation programs remain continuous sign-up.
• Farmers and ranchers have until December 18th, to apply for the second batching period of FY 2027.

Programs with a December 18th, 2026, batching period deadline include:

• Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
• NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program (EQIP & CSP)

For more information, please visit nrcs.usda.gov or contact your local USDA Service Center.

###