01/12/2026
The U. S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service in the Pacific Islands Area announces a Jan. 15, 2026, batching deadline for the first round of funding key conservation programs.
This batching date ensures Pacific Islands Area producers have a clear, consistent timeline for participating in Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, and Agricultural Management Assistance. This includes NRCS’ new Regenerative Pilot Program, which provides targeted Farmer First assistance through EQIP and CSP.
“The NRCS team continues its commitment to Pacific Islands Area’s producers — advancing conservation, strengthening service delivery, and keeping our promise to the men and women who feed and fuel our nation,” said NRCS Pacific Islands Area Director J.B. Martin. “Our programs are built on a simple but powerful foundation: putting farmers first, preserving family farms, and strengthening America’s food supply—because USDA works for the American people.”
NRCS programs are continuous sign-up programs, but due to the government shutdown, the agency is implementing an initial national batching period to ensure producers have access to funding and support.
Updated NRCS Program Timelines
All NRCS conservation programs remain continuous sign-up.
Farmers and ranchers have until Jan. 15, 2026, to apply for the first batching period.
National and State Conservation Innovation Grants will follow later in the year.
PL-566 and Emergency Watershed Protection opportunities remain open for sponsors based on available funding.
Pacific Islands Area Programs with a Jan. 15, 2026, batching period deadline include:
ACEP
EQIP
CSP
AMA
New NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program (EQIP & CSP)
Act Now: EQIP & CSP
In 2026, NRCS Pacific Islands Area will utilize Act Now minimum ranking thresholds to expedite contract obligation for EQIP and CSP applications. Producers do not need to apply separately to Act Now. They will be considered for priority funding when applying for eligible practices through EQIP and CSP.
States determine their respective Act Now minimum ranking thresholds, fund pools and eligible practices. The process enables states to preapprove a ranked application in a ranking pool designated for Act Now when an application meets or exceeds a state’s predetermined minimum threshold ranking score. Learn more about the minimum ACT Now thresholds for Pacific Islands Area applicants by visiting ACT Now in PIA on the NRCS Pacific Islands Area website.
Applications are processed in the order they are received, and applications that rank at or above the state-established threshold ranking score will be preapproved, if funds are available. When the available Act Now funding limit has been reached, remaining applications may be considered in other relevant ranking pools or rolled over to the next funding cycle.
Once a producer’s application is pre-approved, they must still meet eligibility requirements including establishing a farm tract number with USDA’s Farm Service Agency if they have not previously utilized USDA programs. After establishing eligibility, producers must complete the planning process and receive notice of approval from NRCS prior to beginning work. Projects started before final contract approval are ineligible for cost-share assistance unless the producer has been granted an early start waiver.
More Information
For more information, please visit nrcs.usda.gov or contact your local USDA Service Center.
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