USDA Awards $325 Million for Conservation Partnership Projects

By Jason Vance The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $325 million in 42 projects through its Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), supporting efforts to address natural resource concerns on agricultural lands and forests across the country. The RCPP uses public-private partnerships to develop conservation solutions, bringing together USDA, state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, agricultural producers and other partners. “It’s a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on American agricultural land,” said USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Colton Buckley. Buckley said the program allows NRCS to work directly with partners while leveraging additional financial and in-kind support to accomplish shared conservation goals. RCPP projects generally operate through two approaches. RCPP Classic projects use traditional NRCS contracts and easements with producers, landowners and communities.

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