USDA announces funding for 7 RCPP projects in Missouri

By Blake Jackson

The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Missouri is accepting applications for seven regional partnership projects through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Funding is available for projects that address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns.

The seven RCPP projects and associated counties are:

1. Program Restoring & Improving Monarch Ecosystems (PRIME): Andrew, Atchison, Benton, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Cass, Clay, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Henry, Holt, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Pettis, Platte, Ray, Saline, and Worth counties.
2. Precision Farm Data & Strategic Buffer Project: Chariton, Lafayette, Linn, Macon, Pettis, Randolph, and Saline counties.
3. Restoring Glade and Woodland Communities for Threatened Species in the Ozarks of Southeast Missouri: Bollinger, Butler, Carter, Iron, Madison, Oregon, Perry, Reynolds, Ripley, Shannon, St. Francois, St. Genevieve, and Wayne counties.
4. Sand Prairie Restoration Partnership Program: Butler, Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Scott, and Stoddard counties.
5. Missouri Targeted Conservation: Portions of Audrain, Bates, Boone, Bollinger, Caldwell, Callaway, Cape Girardeau, Carroll, Chariton, Clinton, Cole, Cooper, Daviess, DeKalb, Dunklin, Gasconade, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Howard, Jefferson, Johnson, Lafayette, Livingston, Macon, Mercer, Miller, Moniteau, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, New Madrid, Osage, Pemiscot, Pettis, Randolph, Ray, Saline, Scott, Shelby, St. Francois, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Stoddard, Vernon, and Worth counties.
6. James River Headwaters RCPP: Greene and Webster counties.
7. East Locust Creek Source Water Protection Project: Sullivan and Putnam counties.

Farmers and landowners who are interested in applying for RCPP funding can contact their local NRCS office. Applications must be received by November 17, 2023.

The RCPP is a voluntary program that helps farmers and landowners implement conservation practices on their farms. The program is funded through a partnership between NRCS and private and non-profit organizations.

The RCPP projects in Missouri will address a variety of natural resource concerns, including water quality, pollinator habitat, and soil health. The projects will also help to support the local farming community and improve the quality of life in rural Missouri.

Photo Credit: USDA