# Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative

## Breadcrumb

-  Home 
-  Programs & Initiatives 
-  Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative 

NRCS’s Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) was developed as a coordinated effort to identify priority issues, find solutions, and effect change on private grazing land, enhancing existing conservation programs. 

## On This Page

            - Contact Information
            - How to Get Assistance
            - Related Resources
            - Related News and Events

### NRCS Is Investing up to $22 Million in Partnerships

These partnerships will expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands. Proposals are accepted through its Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative on Grants.gov until Sunday, May 26, 2024.

Questions about NRCS’s Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative? View the news release or contact Michael Margo at Michael.Margo@usda.gov.

USDA is reviving and revitalizing GLCI to leverage partner capacity, expertise and technical assistance to expand the footprint of well-managed grazing systems across the country. While some states have been able to use annual funds to support similar agreements, this new structure and additional funding provides a more strategic and comprehensive approach to support grazing systems, reach new and underserved producers and address climate change.

GLCI also supports the National Grazing Lands Coalition to help state grazing coalitions boost participation from underserved producers; host a Triennial National Grazing Lands Conference; and to act as navigators for grazers seeking additional resources.   

## 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.  

##   How to Get Assistance

**Do you farm or ranch and want to make improvements to the land that you own or lease?**

Natural Resources Conservation Service offers technical and financial assistance to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.

**Print this information

###         Step 1: Make a Plan    

**To get started with NRCS, we recommend you stop by your local NRCS field office. We’ll discuss your vision for your land.**

NRCS provides landowners with free technical assistance, or advice, for their land. Common technical assistance includes: resource assessment, practice design and resource monitoring. Your conservation planner will help you determine if financial assistance is right for you.

###         Step 2: Start an Application    

**We’ll walk you through the application process. To get started on applying for financial assistance, we’ll work with you:**
                        - To fill out an AD 1026, which ensures a conservation plan is in place before lands with highly erodible soils are farmed. It also ensures that identified wetland areas are protected.
                        - To meet other eligibility certifications.

Once complete, we’ll work with you on the application, or CPA 1200.

Applications for most programs are accepted on a continuous basis, but they’re considered for funding in different ranking periods. Be sure to ask your local NRCS district conservationist about the deadline for the ranking period to ensure you turn in your application in time.

###         Step 3: Check your eligibility    

**As part of the application process, we’ll check to see if you are eligible. To do this, you’ll need to bring:**
                        - An official tax ID (Social Security number or an employer ID)
                        - A property deed or lease agreement to show you have control of the property; and
                        - A farm number.

If you don’t have a farm number, you can get one from USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Typically, the local FSA office is located in the same building as the local NRCS office. You only need a farm number if you’re interested in financial assistance.

###         Step 4: Rank your application    

**NRCS will take a look at the applications and rank them** according to local resource concerns, the amount of conservation benefits the work will provide and the needs of applicants. View Application Ranking Dates by State.

###         Step 5: Implement your plan    

**If you’re selected, you can choose whether to sign the contract for the work to be done.**

Once you sign the contract, you’ll be provided standards and specifications for completing the practice or practices, and then you will have a specified amount of time to implement. Once the work is implemented and inspected, you’ll be paid the rate of compensation for the work if it meets NRCS standards and specifications.

----

## Related Resources

### Data and Reports

View All Resources

### Data and Reports

                      - Grazing Land Conservation Initiative (GLCI) cooperative agreements - Fiscal Year 2023 

View All Data and Reports

----

## Related News and Events

NewsUSDA Seeks Partnerships to Expand Conservation on Grazing Lands  March 27, 2024

NewsAlabama NRCS Pathways Present on Summer Experience August 15, 2023

Press ReleaseUSDA/NRCS Announces Land Cooperative Agreement for Louisiana Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, Inc.April 13, 2023

          -  View More News 
          -  View More Events