Conservation program application deadline extended for ND producers

BISMARCK — The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in North Dakota is extending the Fiscal Year 2027 application batching period for several conservation programs to provide producers additional opportunities to apply for funding and conservation assistance. The extended batching period applies to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), which includes both Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) and Agricultural Land Easements (ALE). "North Dakota producers continue to show strong interest in voluntary conservation programs that improve the productivity and resilience of their operations," said NRCS North Dakota Acting State Conservationist Jarvis Keney. "By extending the batching period, we are providing producers additional time to work with NRCS and submit applications that can help address resource concerns while strengthening t