Approximately $18.7 billion is being invested in conservation programs offered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service over the next five years.
The new bill will consolidate and expand existing conservation opportunities for Indiana’s producers and forestry landowners.
The key programs include financial assistance, easement, and partnership. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program will absorb the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program and make similar practices available. The agency’s key easement programs will be merged into a new program called the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program which includes the former Wetlands Reserve Program, Grasslands Reserve Program and Farm and Ranchlands Protection Program. The agency’s regional conservation efforts will now be the Regional Conservation Partnerships Program.
