# Regional Conservation Partnership Program

## Breadcrumb

-  Home 
-  Programs & Initiatives 
-  Regional Conservation Partnership Program 

The**Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)** is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. 

## On This Page

            - Contact Information
            - Related Resources
            - Related News and Events

By leveraging collective resources and collaborating on common goals, RCPP demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships in delivering results for agriculture and conservation.

RCPP projects fall under two different categories:  RCPP Classic and RCPP Grants. RCPP Classic projects are implemented using NRCS contracts and easements with producers, landowners and communities, in collaboration with project partners. Through RCPP Grants, the lead partner must work directly with agricultural producers to support the development of new conservation structures and approaches that would not otherwise be available under RCPP Classic.

**  Application Period Now Open**

NRCS is now accepting applications for RCPP projects. See the How to Apply page and the Latest Information box below for more information. 

##   Latest Information

###   USDA Makes $1.5 Billion Available to Help Farmers Advance Conservation and Climate-Smart Agriculture

USDA is accepting RCPP project proposals now through July 2. 

Read the Press Release

###   RCPP 2023 Projects

Learn about the 81 locally led conservation projects funded through RCPP Classic and Alternative Funding Arrangements (Grants) for 2023.

View the interactive map

###   RCPP Improvement Effort

USDA’s NRCS has identified ways to streamline and simplify RCPP, ease the burden on employees and partners, and help maximize flexibility for partners to leverage their investments with NRCS resources and capabilities.

Find out more

See a map of 2020 - 2022 Awarded Projects here.

**1. Impact**—RCPP applications must propose effective and compelling solutions that address one or more natural resource priorities to help solve natural resource challenges. Partners are responsible for evaluating a project’s impact and results.

**2. Partner Contributions**—Partners are responsible for identifying any combination of cash and in-kind value-added contributions to leverage NRCS’s RCPP investments. It is NRCS’s goal that partner contributions at least equal the NRCS investment in an RCPP project. Substantive partner contributions are given priority consideration as part of the RCPP application evaluation criteria. 

**3. Partnerships and Management**—Partners must have experience, expertise, and capacity to manage the partnership and project, provide outreach to producers, and quantify the environmental outcomes of an RCPP project. RCPP ranking criteria give preference to applicants that meaningfully engage historically underserved farmers and ranchers.

## RCPP Conservation Activities

RCPP projects may include a range of on-the-ground conservation activities implemented by farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. These activities include:
                - Land management/land improvement/restoration practices
                - Land rentals
                - Entity-held easements
                - United States-held easements
                - Public works/watersheds

A single RCPP project application can propose to employ any combination of these eligible activity types as part of an RCPP project. 

For more information on RCPP easements, visit the RCPP easement page. 

----

## RCPP Funding Pools

RCPP funding is divided evenly among two funding pools:

**Critical Conservation Areas**

For projects in eight geographic areas chosen by the Secretary of Agriculture. These receive 50 percent of funding. Learn more about RCPP Critical Conservation Areas.

**State/Multistate**For projects in a single state or across several states. These receive 50 percent of funding. 

----

## Who is Eligible

### Partner Eligibility

Eligible organizations interested in partnering with NRCS on conservation projects can develop applications for the RCPP competition. The lead partner for an RCPP project is the entity that submits an application, and if selected for an award is ultimately responsible for collaborating with NRCS to successfully complete an RCPP project.

See the RCPP funding announcement for details about what types of organizations are eligible to apply.  

### Producer and Landowner Eligibility

Once NRCS selects a project and executes an RCPP agreement with a lead partner, agricultural producers may participate in an RCPP project in one of two ways. First, producers may engage with project partners and delegate a willing partner to act as their representative in working with NRCS. Second, producers seeking to carry out conservation activities consistent with a RCPP project in the project’s geographic area can apply directly to NRCS.

### Land Eligibility

RCPP projects must be carried out on agricultural or nonindustrial private forest land or associated land on which NRCS determines an eligible activity would help achieve conservation benefits (i.e., improved condition of natural resources resulting from implementation of conservation activities).

Eligible conservation activities may be implemented on public lands when those activities will benefit eligible lands as determined by NRCS and are included in the scope of an approved RCPP project.

##   How to Apply

Potential partners are invited to propose RCPP projects where NRCS and partners co-invest in impactful and innovative solutions to on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. 

Learn More

##   Resources for Lead Partners

Resources to help awarded partners negotiate an RCPP Programmatic Partnership Agreement, Supplemental Agreements, and how to work with NRCS to implement conservation activities on the ground.

See more

##   RCPP in Action

RCPP projects are making an impact across the country.

Read more

## Ready to get started?

Contact your local service center to start your application.

## Find Your Local Service Center

    USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to find your local service center and agency offices. If this locator does not work in your browser, please visit offices.usda.gov.  

----

## Related Resources

### Data and Reports

View All Resources

### Data and Reports

                      - RCPP Congressional Report—December 2019 
                      - Partner-Led Solutions Publication 
                      - Farm Bill Factsheet 

View All Data and Reports

----

## Related News and Events

Press ReleaseUSDA Makes $1.5 Billion Available to Help Farmers Advance Conservation and Climate-Smart AgricultureApril 04, 2024

NewsUSDA Makes $1.5 Billion Available to Help Farmers Advance Conservation and Climate-Smart Agriculture as Part of President Biden’s Investing in America AgendaApril 03, 2024

Press ReleaseUSDA conservation program third signup open for Rhode Island farmers and forest landownersApril 03, 2024

- - State Technical CommitteeWisconsin State Technical Committee Meeting - April 2024April 18, 2024

          -  View More News 
          -  View More Events