Mississippi NRCS Announces Environmental Quality Incentives Program FY 2026 Signup

NRCS Announces Environmental Quality Incentives Program FY 2026 Signup

Jackson, Miss., Sept. 29, 2025 - USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Mississippi State Conservationist Kurt Readus announced today that the last day to submit Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) applications to be considered for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 funding is Friday, Oct. 31, 2025.

While customers can apply year-round, this application deadline is for all general EQIP including national and state initiatives. The national initiatives include On-Farm Energy Initiative, Longleaf Pine Initiative, Mississippi River Basin Initiative, National Water Quality Initiative, Organic Transition Initiative, and Working Lands for Wildlife. The state initiatives include Mississippi Water Conservation Program, Concentrated Flow Initiative, Urban Agriculture Initiative, High Tunnel Initiative, and Small Ruminant Initiative. All Mississippi agricultural producers and landowners who wish to be considered for this year's financial assistance in the first ranking period should apply by close of business on Oct. 31, 2025.

"By combining improved health, productivity, and resiliency, agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers can potentially generate higher profits while minimizing environmental impact by using these practices" said Readus.

Please work with your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) to ensure that all eligibility documents, including the annual Adjusted Gross Income form, are up to date prior to Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, to ensure all NRCS program eligibility requirements are met to compete for FY2026 funding.

NRCS conservationists work with producers to assess the conservation needs on their land to identify resource concerns and opportunities, help determine objectives, and recommend solutions.

Popular practices include those that increase efficient use of agricultural water, manure handling and storage systems, such as waste storage structures; soil health improvements, such as cover crops and no-till; pasture improvement, such as prescribed grazing, fencing, and watering systems; forest improvement, such as forest stand improvement; and habitat improvement, such as early successional habitat management.

To learn more about NRCS programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also apply for NRCS programs, manage conservation plans and contracts, and view and print conservation maps by logging into their farmers.gov account. If you don't have an account, sign up today.

For 90 years, NRCS has helped farmers, ranchers and forestland owners make investments in their operations and local communities to improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and wildlife habitat. NRCS uses the latest science and technology to help keep working lands working, boost agricultural economies, and increase the competitiveness of American agriculture. NRCS provides one-on-one, personalized advice and financial assistance and works with producers to help them reach their goals through voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs. For more information, visit nrcs.usda.gov.