Unlocking Opportunities: Ag Funding Programs for PA Farmers

Farmers in Pennsylvania are no strangers to the challenges of balancing agricultural productivity with environmental stewardship. Resource concerns like soil erosion, water quality, and nutrient and manure management are issues that should not be ignored. Addressing these concerns can benefit both the environment and the long-term health and viability of the farm.

Determining what resource concerns are on the farm may be daunting. Conversely, it might be easy to realize the resource concerns, but how can they be addressed? Is there a manure storage issue? Would cover cropping be beneficial? How would no-till help reduce runoff and improve soil fertility? Are there animal health concerns because of lack of ventilation, or is an animal concentration area not sized correctly? Do animals have proper access to water?

In Pennsylvania, farmers have many opportunities to address these resource concerns in various ways.

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Programs

1. Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) – EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to farmers and landowners implementing conservation practices. Farmers can address issues like soil erosion, water quality, and nutrient management through cover crops, no-till farming, nutrient management plans, and livestock waste management systems, among others.
2. Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) pays a flat rate per unit of conservation practice that gets installed, encouraging "above and beyond" conservation practices. Some examples are diversifying cover crops (3+ species), pollinator gardens, field borders, improved grazing practices, no-till, invasive weed control, creating wildlife habitat, etc., but can also be used to help fix general resource concerns like erosion.

Reach out to your local NRCS office for further information on any of these programs, including eligibility requirements (like Farm Service Agency or FSA enrollment), application ranking dates, and payment schedules that vary by state. Alternative funding may also be available through programs other than EQIP or CSP.

Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission Programs (SCC)

1. Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) – The Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program is a statewide program through the SCC and is implemented primarily by the County Conservation Districts. Funding will be used to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution in streams, rivers, and waterbodies by implementing agricultural best management practices (BMPs). The program will provide farmers with financial and technical assistance to install conservation practices for each farm. Available funding amount varies by county, with funds distributed based on areas with the greatest need for improvement. All Pennsylvania counties can receive assistance. Applicants can apply for ACAP through their County Conservation District. Each county Conservation District establishes application deadlines and the percentage of cost share. Check with your local Conservation District for more details.
2. Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) – The REAP program administered by SCC allows farmers, businesses, and landowners to earn Pennsylvania income tax credits to offset the cost of implementing conservation BMPs. REAP provides tax credits at 50%, 75%, or 90% of expenses incurred when implementing BMPs, including planning and engineering, materials, labor, etc., depending on the practice. Examples include the purchase of no-till planters, roller crimpers, precision nutrient application equipment, manure storage structures, cover crops, forested riparian buffers, and nutrient management plans. Pennsylvania tax credits are issued after a practice is installed or eligible equipment is purchased. State and federal cost-share portions of a project are ineligible. Applicants must have up-to-date Agricultural Erosion and Sedimentation (E&S) Plans or Conservation Plans and Manure/Nutrient Management Plans for all acres farmed, and credits are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are accepted until available tax credits for the year are exhausted.

Pasa Sustainable Agriculture

In partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Pasa provides opportunities to farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners through the "Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities." Applicants submit proposals through grants.gov. Project proposals include the implementation of climate-smart agriculture and forestry practices, monitoring, quantifying, and verifying climate results, and developing markets and promoting climate-smart commodities as a result of the project. Many NRCS practices that are listed as climate-smart may qualify for program support. More information can be found at Climate-smart Farming and Marketing website. 

Summary

Other programs may also be available to address concerns on the farm. One of the first steps to understanding your options is contacting your local Conservation District and NRCS office. For farmers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, there may be other opportunities to address resource concerns with Countywide Action Plans (CAP) through the Department of Environmental Protection. NRCS and state funding, such as ACAP, can often be used together to meet the project requirements. For more information on conservation practices and funding, check out the Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training Webpage, Conservation Practices.