These USDA programs are currently accepting applications. Visit your
local NRCS/FSA office
to get started.
ARC-CO (Agriculture Risk Coverage — County)
FSA
Provides revenue loss protection when actual county crop revenue drops below a benchmark. Payment is automatic once enrolled — no claim needed.
Value: $8–$75/acre depending on crop and county revenue shortfall
Complexity: Low — sign election at FSA, 15 minutes
Where: Your local FSA office
Bring:- Photo ID
- FSA farm number (FSA will have it on file)
PLC (Price Loss Coverage)
FSA
Provides price protection when the national average price for a covered commodity drops below its reference price. Pays on base acres, not planted acres.
Value: $0–$125+/acre depending on how far price drops below reference
Complexity: Low — sign election at FSA, 15 minutes
Where: Your local FSA office
CRP (Conservation Reserve Program)
FSA
Annual rental payments for removing environmentally sensitive land from production and planting conservation cover (grass, trees, buffers). 10-15 year contracts.
Value: $50–$300+/acre/year depending on soil rental rate in your county
Complexity: Medium — FSA evaluates your offer using Environmental Benefits Index
Where: Your local FSA office
Bring:- Photo ID
- FSA farm number
- Deed or lease for the land
- Cropping history (last 6 years)
EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program)
NRCS
Cost-share payments (typically 50-75%) for conservation practices: cover crops, fencing, water systems, nutrient management, erosion control, and more.
Value: Cost-share typically 50-75% of practice cost (90% for beginning farmers). Payment limits removed for FY2025.
Complexity: Low to apply (2-page form), then NRCS develops conservation plan with you
Where: Your local NRCS office
Bring:- Photo ID
- Deed or lease
- Description of conservation concerns
CSP (Conservation Stewardship Program)
NRCS
Annual payments for maintaining and improving existing conservation practices. If you're already doing cover crops, no-till, or rotational grazing — you may already qualify.
Value: $4,000–$40,000+/year depending on acres and practices (minimum raised from $1,500 to $4,000 in FY2024)
Complexity: Medium — NRCS evaluates your existing conservation and scores it
Where: Your local NRCS office
Bring:- Photo ID
- Deed or lease
- Description of current conservation practices
Federal Crop Insurance
RMA
Government-subsidized crop insurance. The government pays ~60% of your premium. Protects against yield loss, revenue loss, or both.
Value: Premium subsidy saves $5–$30+/acre; coverage at 50-85% of expected revenue
Complexity: Low-Medium — agent handles paperwork, you choose coverage level
Where: Through a private crop insurance agent (not FSA/NRCS)
Bring:- Production records (yield history)
- Acreage information
- FSA farm/tract numbers
