Expanding Agroforestry Production and Markets - Hawai'i

Notice: On April 14, 2025, USDA canceled the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities (PCSC) program and announced that qualifying projects would continue under a renamed initiative, Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP). The Nature Conservancy has confirmed that the Expanding Agroforestry initiative is being reactivated under AMP and is finalizing details with USDA. Full program information—including eligibility, application materials, and how to participate—will be announced; producers can join TNC's email list to be notified when the new cycle opens.

This project will build climate-smart markets and increase capital investments in tree planting that will increase the supply of agroforestry commodities utilizing a network of leaders in forestry. This will work directly with manufacturers and retailers to connect potential buyers with producers (including underserved producers).

Project plans to provide 95 percent cost-share to participating underserved producers implanting climate-smart practices. Partners also aim to work with trade organization to develop certification standards for an “agroforestry-producers” label which will bring a price premium to producers.

The project plans to utilize the USDA’s COMET-Planner tool to estimate GHG reductions for the proposed agroforestry project. All data collected during the project are planned to be stored in Propagate’s Overyield platform, providing producers and TSPs access to all data required for GHG benefit verification. Verra’s Afforestation/Reforestation of Agricultural Lands methodology will also used for verification of GHG benefits for producers seeking to sell carbon credits on the voluntary market.

The project aims to help negotiate contracts with commercial buyers for the harvested produce or timber and profit-sharing agreements with investors and producers and plans to work with trade organizations to develop certification standards for an “agroforestry-produced” label, for which consumers and manufacturers will be willing to pay a price premium. The project’s qualification process plans to prioritize underserved and small producers and provide 95% cost-share for implementation for underserved producers.

To be in this program, you must be willing to do required paperwork for USDA and to enter into an agreement with The Nature Conservancy. We have program staff who will help you navigate the required forms below.

1. FSA number (and assigned Farm, Tract, & Field IDs)

2. Approved CPA-52

3. Form AD-2047

4. Form CCC-902

5. Form AD-1026

6. Certification that applicant is not a foreign person or entity

7. Subsidiary print form

8. Farmers.gov registration

9. Incentive Payment Producer Survey

10. Certificate of Insurance Form

11. Conflict of Interest form (with The Nature Conservancy)

12. W-9

13. ACH Form (required only if opting for preferred electronic payment processing)

Producers must also:

• Be in an eligible state

• Follow NRCS Practice Standards for Alley Cropping, Silvopasture, and/or Windbreaks

• Need to own the land or be in control of the acreage via lease through 2028

• have at least 5 acres to enroll

Incentive payments are calculated per project, not paid at a flat rate. The project FAQ (June 2026) states: "USDA's AMP program is piloting new incentive payments... See our Incentive Payment Calculator to learn more about incentive payments." Estimate a project here: https://expandingagroforestry.shinyapps.io/AMP_Incentive_Payment\_Estimator/

Unit costs the estimator uses (from its Step-by-Step Estimator Guide): site preparation $300 per field acre / $270 per tree row acre; herbicide $72 per field acre and $187 per tree row acre at site prep, or $144 per tree row acre post-planting; "Stem Cost are capped at $65 per stem"; "Labor costs are fixed at $4/stem"; fencing $4 or $11 per linear foot depending on type.

Payment schedule — "1st Payment: Enrollment Incentive – 70%... 2nd Payment: Implementation Incentive – 25%... 3rd Payment: Reporting Incentive – 5%".

Per-participant cap — "The cumulative amount of incentive payments that any entity or individual... can receive from EAP during the award period (through 2028) is $450,000."

Acreage minimum — "The per-project acreage minimum is 5 acres in all regions, with the exception of Hawai'i, which has a minimum of 3 acres." This record is the Hawai'i region, so the 3-acre minimum applies.

Stacking — per the project FAQ, other non-NRCS funding may be combined with these payments, but EQIP, CSP and CRP cannot be used on the same acreage and practice. No producer cash match is required.

Producers must follow NRCS Conservation Practice Standards for installing alley cropping, silvopasture, and windbreaks.

The Expanding Agroforestry initiative is being reactivated under the USDA's Advancing Markets for Producers program, enabling The Nature Conservancy and its partners to continue advancing agroforestry with farmers across the United States. TNC is currently finalizing details with USDA. Once complete, full program information—including eligibility, application materials, and how farmers can participate—will be announced. Join the email list to stay current on agroforestry-related updates and outreach events.

• Expanding Agroforestry FAQ

• Payment Program Timeline