AMHERST, Mass. — American Farmland Trust, in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), will be accepting applications for financial assistance for Land Management and Rental Agreement activities through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Livestock producers in Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire Counties are eligible for consideration in this program. Applications are being accepted by the following deadlines for fiscal year 2024: November 3rd, 2023, January 1st, 2024, March 8th, 2024, and May 10th, 2024.

This funding is part of the Western New England Regenerative Agriculture RCPP project, focused on increasing the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices in Western New England livestock farms through technical and financial assistance opportunities. These funds will assist livestock producers in implementing conservation practices to improve soil health or protect water quality. Examples of eligible projects include prescribed grazing, pasture and hay planting, cover crop planting, pollinator habitat establishment, and more.

To apply, eligible producers should contact AFT’s Max Breiteneicher ([email protected], 413-206-4030) for assistance, and indicate their interest in this specific RCPP project (2311 – Regenerative Agriculture in New England) on their application. To learn more about the American Farmland Trust RCPP project visit our website.

–USDA NRCS Massachusetts