Browse Ambrook’s collection of grants, loans, discounts, cost shares, easements, and insurance for operations interested in grazing management.

To learn more about EQIP, contact your local NRCS office. Visit the Apply for EQIP page for more information on what to expect.
An NRCS conservationist will visit you and evaluate the natural resources on your land. NRCS will then present a variety of conservation practices or system alternatives to help you address those concerns or management goals to improve or protect the natural resource conditions on your land.  At some point, you will likely need to complete the EQIP application form below. 

Applications for EQIP​ financial assistance are accepted throughout the year, but specific deadlines are set for ranking and funding opportunities within each state. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to maximize acceptance into EQIP before your state's next funding deadline.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.


**How It Works**

This voluntary conservation programs helps producers make conservation work for them.  Together, NRCS and&#x2004;producers invest in solutions that conserve natural resources for the future while also improving agricultural operations.


Through EQIP, NRCS provides agricultural producers with financial resources and one-on-one help to plan and implement improvements, or what NRCS calls conservation practices.  Using these practices can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving agricultural operations.  Through EQIP, you can voluntarily implement [conservation practices](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/technical/cp/ncps/?cid=nrcs143_026849), and NRCS co-invests in these practices with you.


**Benefits**

Some of these benefits include:

- Reduction of contamination from agricultural sources, such as animal feeding operations.

- Efficient utilization of nutrients, reducing input costs and reduction in non-point source pollution.

- Increased soil health to help mitigate against increasing weather volatility and improved drought resiliency.


**2018 Farm Bill EQIP Updates**


[Historically underserved](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/people/outreach/slbfr/?cid=nrcsdev11_001040) (HU) participants are eligible for[ advance payments ](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=nrcseprd1502414)to help offset costs related to purchasing materials or contracting through EQIP.  HU participants may elect to receive an advance of not less than 50 percent of the EQIP conservation practice payment amount.  If the participant elects to receive the advance payment, the funds must be expended within 90 days of receiving the advance.


The 2018 Farm Bill expanded eligibility regarding with whom NRCS can enter into an EQIP contract.  NRCS may enter into EQIP contracts with water management entities when they are supporting a water conservation or irrigation efficiency project.  These entities are defined as State, irrigation district, ground water management district, acequia, land grant-merced, or similar entity.


The 2018 Farm Bill requires a national 10 percent of mandatory program funding be targeted towards source water protection.  States will identify priority source water protection areas and may offer increased incentives and higher payment rates for practices that address water quality and/or water quantity.  


Beginning in 2020, States may provide increased payment rates for high-priority practices.  In consultations with the State Technical Committee, State Conservationists may designate up to 10 practices to be eligible for increased payments.  Eligible high-priority practices include those that address specific causes of ground or surface water impairment relating to excessive nutrients, address the conservation of water to advance drought mitigation and declining aquifers, meets other environmental priorities and other priority resource concerns identified in habitat or other area restoration plans, or is geographically targeted to address a natural resource concern in a specific watershed.


**EQIP Incentive Contracts**

The 2018 Farm Bill introduced EQIP incentive contracts to expand resource benefits to producers through incentive practices such as cover crops, transition to resource conserving crop rotations and precision agriculture technologies along with a similarly broad suite of incentive practices for ranchers and non-industrial private forest operators.  Every region within a State will have identified high-priority areas and each of these areas will target up to three priority resource concerns by land use.  In addition to the payment for practice implementation, incentive contracts offer annual payments to address operations and maintenance costs as well as foregone income.  EQIP incentive contracts can be a stepping stone for producers between EQIP classic and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contracts.


You can [visit the 2018 Farm Bill Programs page](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/farmbill/?cid=stelprdb1242382) for for more information about other NRCS conservation opportunities.


**Popular Practices**

- [Cover Crops](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/PA_NRCSConsumption/download?cid=stelprdb1263481&ext=pdf)

- [Forest Stand Improvement](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/PA_NRCSConsumption/download?cid=nrcseprd340673&ext=pdf)

- [Prescribed Grazing](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/PA_NRCSConsumption/download?cid=stelprdb1255132&ext=pdf)

- [Irrigation](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/PA_NRCSConsumption/download?cid=nrcseprd340699&ext=pdf)


**EQIP Initiatives**

Targeted EQIP financial assistance is available through general EQIP, and several other initiatives. These initiatives address priority natural resource concerns on the most vulnerable lands, target conservation assistance in high priority watersheds, or help stimulate the development and adoption of innovation and technology. [Learn about Landscape Conservation Initiatives here](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/initiatives/?cid=stelprdb1042113).

- [High Tunnel Initiative](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=stelprdb1046250)

- [Organic Initiative](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=nrcs143_008224)

- [Air Quality Initiative](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/air/quality/?cid=stelprdb1047144)

- [Landscape Initiative](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/initiatives/?cid=stelprdb1042113)

- [On Farm Energy Initiative](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=stelprdb1046252)

- [Conservation Innovation Grant](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/cig)

- [Colorado River](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/co/programs/landscape/?cid=nrcs144p2_062765)



The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.

How It Works
This voluntary conservation programs helps producers make conservation work for them.  Together, NRCS and producers invest in solutions that conserve natural resources for the future while also improving agricultural operations.

Through EQIP, NRCS provides agricultural producers with financial resources and one-on-one help to plan and implement improvements, or what NRCS calls conservation practices.  Using these practices can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving agricultural operations.  Through EQIP, you can voluntarily implement conservation practices, and NRCS co-invests in these practices with you.

Benefits
Some of these benefits include:
- Reduction of contamination from agricultural sources, such as animal feeding operations.
- Efficient utilization of nutrients, reducing input costs and reduction in non-point source pollution.
- Increased soil health to help mitigate against increasing weather volatility and improved drought resiliency.

2018 Farm Bill EQIP Updates

Historically underserved (HU) participants are eligible for advance payments to help offset costs related to purchasing materials or contracting through EQIP.  HU participants may elect to receive an advance of not less than 50 percent of the EQIP conservation practice payment amount.  If the participant elects to receive the advance payment, the funds must be expended within 90 days of receiving the advance.

The 2018 Farm Bill expanded eligibility regarding with whom NRCS can enter into an EQIP contract.  NRCS may enter into EQIP contracts with water management entities when they are supporting a water conservation or irrigation efficiency project.  These entities are defined as State, irrigation district, ground water management district, acequia, land grant-merced, or similar entity.

The 2018 Farm Bill requires a national 10 percent of mandatory program funding be targeted towards source water protection.  States will identify priority source water protection areas and may offer increased incentives and higher payment rates for practices that address water quality and/or water quantity.  

Beginning in 2020, States may provide increased payment rates for high-priority practices.  In consultations with the State Technical Committee, State Conservationists may designate up to 10 practices to be eligible for increased payments.  Eligible high-priority practices include those that address specific causes of ground or surface water impairment relating to excessive nutrients, address the conservation of water to advance drought mitigation and declining aquifers, meets other environmental priorities and other priority resource concerns identified in habitat or other area restoration plans, or is geographically targeted to address a natural resource concern in a specific watershed.

EQIP Incentive Contracts
The 2018 Farm Bill introduced EQIP incentive contracts to expand resource benefits to producers through incentive practices such as cover crops, transition to resource conserving crop rotations and precision agriculture technologies along with a similarly broad suite of incentive practices for ranchers and non-industrial private forest operators.  Every region within a State will have identified high-priority areas and each of these areas will target up to three priority resource concerns by land use.  In addition to the payment for practice implementation, incentive contracts offer annual payments to address operations and maintenance costs as well as foregone income.  EQIP incentive contracts can be a stepping stone for producers between EQIP classic and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contracts.

You can visit the 2018 Farm Bill Programs page for for more information about other NRCS conservation opportunities.

Popular Practices
- Cover Crops
- Forest Stand Improvement
- Prescribed Grazing
- Irrigation

EQIP Initiatives
Targeted EQIP financial assistance is available through general EQIP, and several other initiatives. These initiatives address priority natural resource concerns on the most vulnerable lands, target conservation assistance in high priority watersheds, or help stimulate the development and adoption of innovation and technology. Learn about Landscape Conservation Initiatives here.
- High Tunnel Initiative
- Organic Initiative
- Air Quality Initiative
- Landscape Initiative
- On Farm Energy Initiative
- Conservation Innovation Grant
- Colorado River

Eligible land includes:
- Cropland and hayland
- Rangeland
- Pastureland
- Non-industrial private forestland
- Other farm or ranch lands
- Environmentally sensitive areas

Eligible applicants(s) include:
- Agricultural producers
- Owners of non-industrial private forestland
- Indian Tribes
- Those with an interest in the agricultural or forestry operations
- Water management entities

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

- EQIP fact sheet (425.04 KB)
- Conservation Incentive Contracts (1.18 MB)

EQIP Initiatives
- High Tunnel Initiative
- Organic Initiative
- Air Quality Initiative
- Landscape Conservation Initiative
- On-Farm Energy Initiative
- Colorado River Basin Salinity Project


Air Quality

High Tunnel

Landscape

Soil Health

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

Trees

Biofuel

Hydro Power

Solar Power

Wind Energy

Reduced Tillage

Drought

Flood

Hurricane

Tornado

Trials

Fertilizer

Waste & Manure Management

Certified Organic

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Weeds

Regenerative

Water Management

Infrastructure

Conservation

Certification

Carbon Capture

Disaster Relief

Weather

Marketing

Research

Compliance

Emergency

Start with the qualification form on agorocarbonalliance.com (it asks acreage, state, and whether the interest is row crops, pasture/rangelands, or both) or book a call with an Agoro agronomist. Agoro also offers a carbon revenue calculator on its site.

Panel-era contact: Mitch Wayment (mitch.wayment@agorocarbon.com).

Mitch Wayment

Agoro Carbon Alliance, backed by fertilizer maker Yara, contracts with farmers and ranchers to implement soil-health practice changes — improved grazing, cover crops, reduced tillage, and nitrogen practices — and pays them for the new carbon captured, measured by soil sampling against a baseline. Agoro manages data collection, verification, and credit sales end to end, with complimentary agronomic support from a real person from day 1 through year 11.


Producers&#x2004;choose between two payment types: issuance payments (paid when credits are issued after verification, excluding buffer-pool credits) or prepayments under a financing option, which are later netted against issuance. As of June 2026, Agoro reports operating in 34 states with more than 600 producers and 2.5 million acres enrolled, and more than $30 million in prepayments paid directly to farmers and ranchers over its first five years.


Both row-crop and pasture/rangeland operations are eligible — Agoro is one of the few programs spanning cropping and grazing in a single program.



Agoro Carbon Alliance, backed by fertilizer maker Yara, contracts with farmers and ranchers to implement soil-health practice changes — improved grazing, cover crops, reduced tillage, and nitrogen practices — and pays them for the new carbon captured, measured by soil sampling against a baseline. Agoro manages data collection, verification, and credit sales end to end, with complimentary agronomic support from a real person from day 1 through year 11.

Producers choose between two payment types: issuance payments (paid when credits are issued after verification, excluding buffer-pool credits) or prepayments under a financing option, which are later netted against issuance. As of June 2026, Agoro reports operating in 34 states with more than 600 producers and 2.5 million acres enrolled, and more than $30 million in prepayments paid directly to farmers and ranchers over its first five years.

Both row-crop and pasture/rangeland operations are eligible — Agoro is one of the few programs spanning cropping and grazing in a single program.

- Row crops, pasture/rangeland, or both.
- Minimum 400 acres (Agoro's enrollment form; the company cited 500 acres on an April 2025 rancher panel, so the floor has come down).
- Additionality: producers implement new practices — improved grazing, biodiversity, cover crops, tillage reduction, or nitrogen practices. The company must demonstrate new or additional practices to the registry and buyers.
- Landowner needs standard shapefile maps; leased land is allowed if the producer holds rights to operate and implement practices on the enrolled acres for the contract duration.
- Operating in 34 states as of June 2026; Agoro does not publish the list.

A contract to sell an environmental outcome the operation produces - sequestered carbon, a water-quality credit, a habitat credit - to a buyer, rather than receiving an award. Payment is typically per unit (per acre or per ton CO2e) over a multi-year term and contingent on verification, so records using this instrument carry the payment.* and contract.* fields rather than award.min/award.max. Covers both credit-generating programs, where credits are sold to outside buyers, and supply-chain insetting programs, where a company the operation already sells to pays for the practice.

Environmental Market

Cover Crop

No-till

Prescribed Grazing

- Five Carbon Companies Answer Ranchers' Top Questions (3.39 MB) — WSE rancher panel featuring Agoro Carbon

Contract term. The producer's commitment is 10 years, with the potential for renewal. Agoro describes ten years as the minimum time required to show a soil carbon increase and provide meaningful revenue; agronomic support runs through year 11.

How payment works. Payments are made for new tons of carbon captured above baseline soil samples, measured per ton (2,205 lb). A per-ton price is established for each payment method and allows for market price appreciation over the contract. Carbon payments are made on credit issuance (excluding buffer-pool withholding), after verification — Agoro cited verification in years 5 and 11 on the WSE panel. Prepayments are available under a financing option and are netted against later issuance payments. No standard per-ton or per-acre figure is published; contracts and estimates are customized per operation.

Grower risk. If practices fail from natural disaster, the grower's responsibility is to inform Agoro, which documents and informs the registry.

Start with Cultivo's natural capital assessment (the Get Started flow on cultivo.land), which estimates the land's revenue potential and optimal regeneration strategies. From there Cultivo works with the landowner on project design, secures financing, and manages measurement, verification, and credit sales.

Enquiries can go to Luke Tercek (luke.tercek@cultivo.land) or Ben Veres, Senior Director of Land Partnerships, North America, who joined Cultivo through the Kateri acquisition.

Luke Tercek

Ben Veres

Senior Director of Land Partnerships, North America

Cultivo pays ranchers for soil carbon sequestered through improved grazing on working US grasslands, combining carbon credit payments with upfront project capital. Cultivo's core focus is bringing capital to projects: it covers 100% of upfront project costs, such as fencing and water infrastructure, in addition to the carbon credit payments, and holds capital for maintenance costs over the life&#x2004;of the project.


Cultivo acquired Kateri, a US grasslands carbon developer, effective December 2025, folding Kateri's rancher relationships, soil carbon modeling, and virtual-fencing capabilities into its program. The combined platform reports more than 650,000 acres of US grasslands signed, with the potential to remove over 9 million tonnes of CO2e over 30 years.


Cultivo reported paying $10.3 million to 138 ranchers across 1.25 million acres in 19 states in 2024. The company takes a holistic approach that measures water retention and biodiversity uplift alongside carbon, and works with ranchers on adaptive multi-paddock and high-density short-duration grazing.



Cultivo pays ranchers for soil carbon sequestered through improved grazing on working US grasslands, combining carbon credit payments with upfront project capital. Cultivo's core focus is bringing capital to projects: it covers 100% of upfront project costs, such as fencing and water infrastructure, in addition to the carbon credit payments, and holds capital for maintenance costs over the life of the project.

Cultivo acquired Kateri, a US grasslands carbon developer, effective December 2025, folding Kateri's rancher relationships, soil carbon modeling, and virtual-fencing capabilities into its program. The combined platform reports more than 650,000 acres of US grasslands signed, with the potential to remove over 9 million tonnes of CO2e over 30 years.

Cultivo reported paying $10.3 million to 138 ranchers across 1.25 million acres in 19 states in 2024. The company takes a holistic approach that measures water retention and biodiversity uplift alongside carbon, and works with ranchers on adaptive multi-paddock and high-density short-duration grazing.

Cultivo requires additionality but describes taking a flexible, tailored approach: there is generally room for additional improvements even on ranches with very good stewardship. Cultivo uses remote-sensing technology to assess the land in detail and identify opportunities to build on current practices.

- Works with a wide variety of ranch sizes; no published minimum acreage.
- US grasslands focus, including the Northern Great Plains through the former Kateri program.
- Ranchers commit to improved grazing practices such as adaptive multi-paddock grazing or high-density short-duration grazing.

Livestock

Cattle

Pigs

Poultry

Sheep

Specialty Livestock

Beef Cattle

Dairy Cattle

Feeder Cattle

Slaughter Cattle

Calves

Heifers

Steers

Bulls

Barrows

Boars

Feeder Pigs

Hogs

Sows

Chickens

Cornish Hens

Ducks

Geese

Turkey

Ewes

Lambs

Rams

Alpacas

Beefalo

Bison

Buffalo

Caribou

Deer

Emus

Goats

Guinea Pigs

Llamas

Mink

Mohair

Ostrich

Pheasants

Quail

Rabbits

Reindeer

Water Buffalo

Beef Bottom Round

Beef Brisket

Beef Chuck Roast

Beef Eye Round

Beef Flank Steak

Beef Flat Iron Steak

Beef Heart

Beef Liver

Beef London Broil

Beef NY Strip Steak

Beef Oxtail

Beef Rib Steak

Beef Rump Roast

Beef Short Ribs

Beef Sirloin

Beef Sirloin Tip Roast

Beef Skirt Steak

Beef Soup Bones

Beef Stew Meat

Beef Tongue

Beef Top Round

Beef Whole Filet

Ground Beef

Broilers

Chicks

Fryers

Layers

Pullets

Roasters

Ducklings

Goslings

Poults

Toms

Ground Lamb

Lamb Chops

Lamb Heart

Lamb Leg

Lamb Liver

Lamb Shank

Lamb Shoulder

Lamb Stew Meat

Bison Calf

Bison Meat

Bucks

Nannies

Slaughter Goats

- Five Carbon Companies Answer Ranchers' Top Questions (3.39 MB) — WSE rancher panel featuring Cultivo and Kateri

Contract term. Cultivo states contracts are typically 20 to 30 years, with optional 10-year renewals after that. The aim is to design the project and ongoing resources so the landowner wants to continue long term.

How payment works. There is no fixed carbon payment structure; Cultivo told a Western Sustainability Exchange rancher panel in April 2025 that it aims for $5 to $10 per acre annually, varying with practices and environment, and provides a custom estimate based on location, practices, and climate. Upfront infrastructure funding and maintenance capital are separate from the carbon payment.

Kateri legacy terms. Before the December 2025 acquisition, Kateri's program paid ranchers 70% of profit (75% for Audubon-certified ranches) and covered all program costs including soil samples, virtual fencing, GPS tags, and a ranch advisor, with average payments of $5 to $10 per acre per year and no cap on the upside. Whether these terms continue unchanged under Cultivo is not published.

1. Apply to become a carbon credit rancher through the form on the ranchers page.
2. Meet with the Grassroots team to discuss your location, land management practices, and openness to changing those practices.
3. If it's a fit, a measurement team takes baseline soil samples, and payments follow the carbon stored between measurements.

Contacts: Taylor Coit (taylor.coit@buildgrassroots.com, (210) 953-4496) or Hunter Jones (hunter.jones@buildgrassroots.com).

Hunter Jones

Taylor Coit

Grassroots Carbon pays US cattle and bison ranchers annually for carbon stored in their soils through regenerative grazing. Ranchers join at no cost — there are no out-of-pocket enrollment expenses — and receive payments based on the carbon actually measured in their soil, at the credit price current in that year, so they are never locked into a set rate and keep the upside when credit&#x2004;prices rise.


The company reports partnering with ranchers across roughly 2 million acres in 22 states, and in January 2026 announced it had become the first US company to deliver 1.9 million tons of carbon removals through regenerative ranching.


Grassroots provides its PastureMap grazing software to track herd moves, grazing periods, rest days, and pasture history, and runs workshops and field events. It also partners with Audubon on its certification program. Beyond carbon, Grassroots describes developing other natural capital value for ranchers, such as water and biodiversity.



Grassroots Carbon pays US cattle and bison ranchers annually for carbon stored in their soils through regenerative grazing. Ranchers join at no cost — there are no out-of-pocket enrollment expenses — and receive payments based on the carbon actually measured in their soil, at the credit price current in that year, so they are never locked into a set rate and keep the upside when credit prices rise.

The company reports partnering with ranchers across roughly 2 million acres in 22 states, and in January 2026 announced it had become the first US company to deliver 1.9 million tons of carbon removals through regenerative ranching.

Grassroots provides its PastureMap grazing software to track herd moves, grazing periods, rest days, and pasture history, and runs workshops and field events. It also partners with Audubon on its certification program. Beyond carbon, Grassroots describes developing other natural capital value for ranchers, such as water and biodiversity.

The program is built for ranchers who:

- Run grazing operations, from family ranches to large-scale herds — Grassroots reports working with ranches from 180 acres to 130,000 acres.
- Manage substantial grasslands within eligible US regions.
- Are willing to implement and commit to regenerative grazing practices that improve soil health, forage availability, water retention, and biodiversity.

Additionality is required: without a change from current practice, ranchers cannot generate carbon credits. That may mean reducing synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, implementing adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) grazing, or other changes, and the rancher must be able to document the change. Practices are tracked in the PastureMap app.

- Five Carbon Companies Answer Ranchers' Top Questions (3.39 MB) — WSE rancher panel featuring Grassroots Carbon

Two program structures. Grassroots offers a 15-year program on the Regenerative Standard — five years of managed grazing followed by soil sampling to measure carbon, with the only commitment for the following ten years being not to till and release the carbon — and a 30-year Climate Action Reserve (CAR) or Verra program, where the first ten years are grazing practice changes and the producer may then continue with managed grazing and crediting. Payments run in 10-year crediting periods with measurements every five years.

How payment works. Producers are paid for every ton of carbon stored between measurements at the current credit price that year — never locked into a set rate, always keeping the upside. On a Western Sustainability Exchange rancher panel in April 2025, Grassroots described the rancher's share after costs ranging from about $3 per acre in arid environments to $18-20 per acre in areas like Virginia.

Cost. There are no out-of-pocket costs to enroll.

How It Works

1. Talk to your producer advisor about fit for your operation
2. Provide AgSpire with some on farm information and complete enrollment paperwork
3. AgSpire will help you finalize your seeding plan
4. Complete your seeding and verification process
5. Receive your incentive payments and end of year report.

Get started by filling out the AgSpire Producer Profile. A member of our team will contact you with more information and next steps.

Questions? Email info@agspire.com; or call or text (605) 675-7255.

AgSpire Producer Programs

Through a free, incentive-based program which promotes the use of cover crops, forage, and range plantings, Graze to Gains helps producers increase efficiency and improve longevity of their operation. Graze to Gains is a flexible and voluntary program, where producers&#x2004;have access to a team of livestock and agronomy experts to help them every step of the way.


### Producer Benefits


**Technical Assistance** — You will receive free, local technical support from our team of livestock, agronomy, and grazing experts, giving you direct guidance to improve your operation and make the most of this program.


**Incentive Payments** — This program provides substantial financial assistance, up to $80/acre to make cover crops and forage or range plantings more affordable and beneficial for your operation.



Through a free, incentive-based program which promotes the use of cover crops, forage, and range plantings, Graze to Gains helps producers increase efficiency and improve longevity of their operation. Graze to Gains is a flexible and voluntary program, where producers have access to a team of livestock and agronomy experts to help them every step of the way.

Producer Benefits

Technical Assistance — You will receive free, local technical support from our team of livestock, agronomy, and grazing experts, giving you direct guidance to improve your operation and make the most of this program.

Incentive Payments — This program provides substantial financial assistance, up to $80/acre to make cover crops and forage or range plantings more affordable and beneficial for your operation.

Graze to Gains helps cattle producers enhance their land through cover crops, range plantings, and improved forage.

Producers can enroll in Graze to Gains while also participating in state and federal conservation programs like EQIP and CSP.

Range Planting

Pasture and Hay Planting

The program offers flexible seeding options and financial incentives to reduce costs while promoting long-term soil health and sustainable grazing.

Cost and payments

Signing up with AgSpire and enrolling in any of our programs is completely free for farmers and ranchers.

Once contract conditions are met and practices have been verified (usually through a verification visit, testing for outcomes, and/or physical verification such as receipts), AgSpire will make payments to producers, which are distributed quarterly.

Get started by filling out the AgSpire Producer Profile. A member of our team will contact you with more information and next steps.

Questions? Email info@agspire.com; or call or text (605) 675-7255.

Ranching for the Future supports producers to enhance herd productivity and efficiency, leading to more pounds produced on-farm. AgSpire technical experts will work with you on a customized plan to increase feed&#x2004;efficiency, herd health, and reproductive efficiency, while providing access to premiums and incentives.


### Producer Benefits


**Free Technical Assistance** — A veterinarian / herd specialist and a certified Technical Service Provider work with you to create a customized improvement plan for your operational goals.


**Complimentary Data Management Software** — Get free access to AgriWebb, an all-in-one data solution for livestock operations that enables data-informed insights into productivity and efficiency gains.


**Financial Incentives** — The program offers a per-head premium for participation, as well as additional opportunities for incentive payments.



Ranching for the Future supports producers to enhance herd productivity and efficiency, leading to more pounds produced on-farm. AgSpire technical experts will work with you on a customized plan to increase feed efficiency, herd health, and reproductive efficiency, while providing access to premiums and incentives.

Producer Benefits

Free Technical Assistance — A veterinarian / herd specialist and a certified Technical Service Provider work with you to create a customized improvement plan for your operational goals.

Complimentary Data Management Software — Get free access to AgriWebb, an all-in-one data solution for livestock operations that enables data-informed insights into productivity and efficiency gains.

Financial Incentives — The program offers a per-head premium for participation, as well as additional opportunities for incentive payments.

Phase 2 is now enrolling.

This program is designed for ranchers in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana who are interested in opportunities to improve herd productivity.

Nutrient Management

Feeding plans

Inputs

Ranching for the Future is designed for producers who want to fine-tune their operations, optimize resources, and increase profitability while strengthening the health of their land and livestock.

Backed by McDonald's and one of their suppliers OSI Group, Ranching for the Future helps ranchers improve key areas of their operation, including:

- Herd Management – Fine-tune feed efficiency and increase weight gain
- Diet Management – Strategic feed supplements and creep feeding to support growth.
- Field Management – Improve fertilizer and manure efficiency, boost forage availability, and get more out of every acre.

How it Works

We know that there aren't one-size-fits-all solutions in agriculture. Through the Ranching for the Future Program, AgSpire will work with you one-on-one to understand what opportunities exist for your operation.

After visiting your ranch and learning about your goals, our advisors will help identify management changes and create a custom improvement plan. With a herd specialist and agronomist working together on this project, they will provide technical assistance to get the most out of the suggested changes.

Cost and payments

Signing up with AgSpire and enrolling in any of our programs is completely free for farmers and ranchers.

Once contract conditions are met and practices have been verified (usually through a verification visit, testing for outcomes, and/or physical verification such as receipts), AgSpire will make payments to producers, which are distributed quarterly.

How It Works

When you enroll in the Southeast Livestock & Land Program, AgSpire's Advisory Team will work with you every step of the way, providing individualized technical assistance to implement and refine practices.

Spring enrollment for the Southeast Livestock & Land Program is now open. Get started by filling out the AgSpire Producer Profile. A member of our team will contact you with more information and next steps.

Questions? Email info@agspire.com; or call or text (605) 675-7255.

Supporting productivity, and resiliency for beef operations in the Southeast through technical assistance, premium payments, and other incentive opportunities.


### Producer Benefits


**Technical Assistance** — Free one-on-one guidance and technical assistance from a team of experts.


**Seed Incentive** — Seed incentives depending on implementation of cover crops, forage or range plantings.


**Cattle Premiums** — Monetary support of adoption of practices related to herd management.



Supporting productivity, and resiliency for beef operations in the Southeast through technical assistance, premium payments, and other incentive opportunities.

Producer Benefits

Technical Assistance — Free one-on-one guidance and technical assistance from a team of experts.

Seed Incentive — Seed incentives depending on implementation of cover crops, forage or range plantings.

Cattle Premiums — Monetary support of adoption of practices related to herd management.

AgSpire will work with producers to design and implement a plan to increase efficiency and resiliency through herd health, nutrition management, genetic improvements, seeding of cover crops, pasture, and forage.

Animal health plan

Cost and payments

Signing up with AgSpire and enrolling in any of our programs is completely free for farmers and ranchers.

Once contract conditions are met and practices have been verified (usually through a verification visit, testing for outcomes, and/or physical verification such as receipts), AgSpire will make payments to producers, which are distributed quarterly.

Enrollment for the Texas Better Beef Program is now open.

To get started with the Texas Better Beef program, fill out your Producer Profile. A member of our team will contact you with more information and next steps.

Questions? Email info@agspire.com; or call or text (605) 675-7255.

**Efficiency That Pays - From Pasture&#x2004;to Profit**


This program helps producers boost operational efficiency and resiliency through expert technical guidance and financial support. AgSpire partners with producers to enhance grazing management, soil health, herd productivity and long term sustainability.


### Producer Benefits


**Technical Assistance** — Free one-on-one guidance and technical assistance from a team of experts.


**Customized Planning and Support** — We help you reach your goals by understanding where your operation is, and how to improve it.


**Financial Assistance** — Financial assistance available for improved grazing and herd efficiencies.



Efficiency That Pays - From Pasture to Profit

This program helps producers boost operational efficiency and resiliency through expert technical guidance and financial support. AgSpire partners with producers to enhance grazing management, soil health, herd productivity and long term sustainability.

Producer Benefits

Technical Assistance — Free one-on-one guidance and technical assistance from a team of experts.

Customized Planning and Support — We help you reach your goals by understanding where your operation is, and how to improve it.

Financial Assistance — Financial assistance available for improved grazing and herd efficiencies.

AgSpire will work with cow calf producers with 30 or more head of cattle, grazing on 30 or more grazing acres.

Program eligibility

- Cow-calf or stocker operation
- 30 or more head of cattle
- 30 or more grazing acres
- Not enrolled in a private carbon program

Participation requirements

- Willing to adopt and maintain at least 2 herd productivity practices and grazing improvements
- Allow soil sampling on participating acres
- Provide AgSpire with operation, herd, and field information
- Sign 1 year program commitment

Grazing management plan

Financial incentives are available to participating operations based on the number and intensity of practice changes related to improvements in grazing efficiency and herd productivity.

The program publishes two separate average payment rates on two different bases, which is why payment.basis is recorded as "Other (see terms)":

Grazing Management — average payment $10–$30 per acre

- Written Grazing Plan — documented roadmap for improved pasture health.
- Stocking Rate — running the right number of animals for each pasture.
- Pasture Utilization — correct timing and intensity of pasture use: increased rest and cattle movements, cross fencing.
- Pasture Management — seedings, weed control, fertility, residue management.

Herd Efficiency — average payment $20–$40 per head

- Reproduction — AI Gender Skew, Synchronization, Breeding Soundness, Heifer and Bull Development, Calving Season.
- Genetics — EPD Selection, Cross Breeding.
- Herd Management — Early Culling.
- Herd Health — Improved Vaccination Protocols, Antimicrobial Protocol, Parasite Control.
- Nutrition — Ionophore & Supplements.

Producers enrolled in the program implement at least two grazing or herd productivity practices that align with their existing management goals. Participating producers commit to a 1-year program commitment and allow soil sampling and operational data collection.

Cost and payments

Signing up with AgSpire and enrolling in any of our programs is completely free for farmers and ranchers.

Once contract conditions are met and practices have been verified (usually through a verification visit, testing for outcomes, and/or physical verification such as receipts), AgSpire will make payments to producers, which are distributed quarterly.

Payment rates and the full practice list are published in the AgSpire Texas Better Beef Program overview: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GXDioVpxISYIR32Kx1p1f9keeBa8Zc99/view

Grant Overview and Application Portal

While a Grants.gov account is not required to download an NFO and related documents, it is required to submit an application. If your organization has never submitted an application via Grants.gov, please be aware that there are several steps you must take to register your organization before you can submit an application. Completing those steps can take a significant amount of time, plan accordingly. 

Register to Apply through Grants.gov:
Applicants should read the registration instructions carefully and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process. Reviewing and assembling the required information before beginning the registration process will alleviate last-minute searches for required information. 
For assistance with the registration process, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support, available 24/7, at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. 

Tessa Garcia

Grants Management Specialist

The Natural&#x2004;Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) delivers conservation solutions so agricultural producers can protect natural resources and feed a growing world. NRCS provides leadership and funding to ensure that all programs and services are made accessible to all customers, fairly and equitably, with emphasis on reaching historically underserved farmers and ranchers and Native American tribal governments and organizations. NRCS is committed to advancing equity, justice, and equal opportunity to ensure equitable access to programs and services available on private agricultural and forest lands.


The goal of this funding opportunity is for NRCS, in collaboration with a diverse set of partners, including historically underserved farmers and ranchers and their organizations, to expand the delivery of conservation technical assistance to support grazing planning and conservation practice implementation and monitoring, conferences and other education, demonstrations, producer networks, workforce training, research and outreach projects to improve agricultural resilience. The anticipated amount for cooperative agreements under this NFO is approximately $22 million in fiscal year (FY) 2024.  



The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) delivers conservation solutions so agricultural producers can protect natural resources and feed a growing world. NRCS provides leadership and funding to ensure that all programs and services are made accessible to all customers, fairly and equitably, with emphasis on reaching historically underserved farmers and ranchers and Native American tribal governments and organizations. NRCS is committed to advancing equity, justice, and equal opportunity to ensure equitable access to programs and services available on private agricultural and forest lands.

The goal of this funding opportunity is for NRCS, in collaboration with a diverse set of partners, including historically underserved farmers and ranchers and their organizations, to expand the delivery of conservation technical assistance to support grazing planning and conservation practice implementation and monitoring, conferences and other education, demonstrations, producer networks, workforce training, research and outreach projects to improve agricultural resilience. The anticipated amount for cooperative agreements under this NFO is approximately $22 million in fiscal year (FY) 2024.  

Applicants and applications must meet eligibility criteria by the application deadline to be considered for award. Eligible applicant type is determined by the implementing program statute. Applicant entities identified in the SAM.gov exclusions database as ineligible, prohibited/restricted, or excluded from receiving Federal contracts and certain Federal assistance and benefits will not be considered for Federal funding, as applicable to the funding being requested under this Federal program (2 CFR 200.206(d)). Neither foreign entities nor individuals are eligible to apply for this opportunity.

List of Agricultural Funding for Grazing Management