# Wisconsin

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-  Wisconsin 

NRCS helps private landowners improve the health of their operations while protecting our natural resources for the future. We are working to ensure the long-term sustainability of American agriculture.

## On This Page

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

### Who We Are

The Natural Resources Conservation Service is the federal agency that works with landowners on private lands to conserve natural resources. NRCS is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We were formerly called the Soil Conservation Service (SCS).

### What We Do

Nearly three-fourths of the technical assistance provided by the agency goes to helping farmers develop conservation systems uniquely suited to their land and individual ways of doing business. The agency also provides assistance to other private landowners and rural and urban communities to reduce erosion, conserve and protect water, and solve other resource problems. 

## Wisconsin State Office

                -    608-662-4422 
                -    8030 Excelsior DriveSuite 200Madison, WI53717-2906 

State Office Page

## 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.  

##   Quick Links

        Newsroom    

###                     Newsroom                

Find the latest news releases, feature stories, success stories from the field, and a link to our downloadable publications and factsheets.

### GO TO PAGE

        Grow With Us    

###                     Grow With Us                

We’re looking for highly motivated and skilled individuals interested in meeting the challenges of the dynamic and innovative field of agriculture.

### GO TO PAGE

        Partner With Us    

###                     Partner With Us                

NRCS succeeds through its partnerships, working closely with farmers and landowners, conservation districts, government agencies, Tribes, Earth Team volunteers, schools, local communities and more.

### GO TO PAGE

        Small-Scale Farming    

###                     Small-Scale Farming                

Are you farming or gardening in a city or suburb? Urban agriculture provides critical access to healthy food for local communities, as well as jobs, increased green spaces, and closer community ties. 

### GO TO PAGE

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##   Wisconsin Soil

America’s vitality is rooted in the soil. Today, farmers and private landowners across the state are partnering with Wisconsin NRCS to conserve and improve soil.

GO TO PAGE

##   Wisconsin Local Working Groups

Local working group meetings are convened by local conservation districts with NRCS support to secure stakeholder feedback that helps to guide conservation priorities for the county.

GO TO PAGE

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## State Programs and Initiatives

Environmental Quality Incentives Program - Wisconsin

Joint Chiefs' Partnership - Wisconsin

Regional Conservation Partnership Program - Wisconsin

Conservation Innovation Grants - Wisconsin

Conservation Stewardship Program - WisconsinApply by:February 9, 2024

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Wisconsin

Landscape Conservation Initiatives - Wisconsin

Emergency Watershed Protection Program - Wisconsin

Floodplain Easements - Wisconsin

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## State Payment Schedule

NRCS provides financial assistance for selected conservation practices. The availability and amount of financial assistance can vary between states.

Learn More

## Civil Rights Committee

The National Civil Rights Advisory Committee to the Chief (NCRACC) is designed to provide management officials and employees with counsel and advice to enhance and ensure compliance with their equal employment opportunity and program delivery responsibilities.

Learn More

## State Technical Committee

State Technical Committees serve in an advisory capacity to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and other agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on the implementation of the natural resources conservation provisions of Farm Bill legislation.

Learn More

## Related Resources

### Guides and Instructions

View All Resources

### Guides and Instructions

                      - Wisconsin Engineering Resources 

View All Guides and Instructions

##   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.

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## Related News and Events

Press ReleaseNRCS Announces Second EQIP & RCPP Signup for 2024 FundingApril 16, 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

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

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

          -  View More News 
          -  View More Events