NC AgVentures Farm Grant

NC AgVentures Farm Grant

NC AgVentures provides grants to North Carolina family farms for projects designed to increase farm profitability. The program is administered through NC State Extension and funded by the NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission.

Funding: Up to $10,000 per farm

Application period: October 15–December 15, 2026

Important: Applications may close early if 200 applications are received.

Who may qualify: North Carolina family farms that have been generating farm revenue for at least one year. Certain applicants and projects receive priority consideration.

Good for: Projects that help a farm increase profitability, expand or diversify production, develop new products or markets, or improve the farm's business capacity.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers and landowners who want to address conservation needs on their farms. North Carolina programs can provide assistance for practices that improve soil health, water and air quality, reduce erosion, improve wildlife habitat, and address other natural resource concerns.

Programs include:

• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): Financial and technical assistance for implementing conservation practices and addressing natural resource concerns.

• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP): Financial and technical assistance for farmers who want to maintain and build upon existing conservation efforts.

• Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP): Assistance for eligible agricultural land and wetland conservation easements.

• Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Program (RPP): Supports whole-farm regenerative practices through EQIP and CSP.

Who it's for:
Eligible agricultural producers and landowners in North Carolina. Eligibility varies by program. For example, EQIP is available to agricultural producers and owners of eligible non-industrial private forestland, while CSP is available on eligible private and Tribal agricultural lands and non-industrial private forestland.

Current application deadline:
October 30, 2026 for consideration for FY2027 funding. NRCS accepts applications year-round, but establishes cutoff dates for applications to be evaluated and ranked for available funding.

How to get started:
Farmers can contact their local USDA Service Center to discuss their goals, determine eligibility, and begin an application. NRCS also provides conservation planning and technical assistance to help producers determine which practices may be appropriate for their operation.

Learn More:
USDA NRCS – North Carolina

Current North Carolina funding announcement:
NRCS North Carolina Conservation Program Application Information

North Carolina Farmers: NRCS Conservation Funding Applications Are Open

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications from North Carolina agricultural producers for conservation programs, with October 30, 2026 as the application deadline for consideration for Fiscal Year 2027 funding.

Programs include:

EQIP: Financial and technical assistance for conservation improvements that can address concerns such as soil health, erosion, water quality, and more.

CSP: Support for farmers who are building on existing conservation efforts and adding new conservation practices.

ACEP: Assistance for eligible landowners interested in protecting agricultural land or restoring and protecting wetlands through conservation easements.

NRCS also has a Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Program for producers interested in whole-farm regenerative practices through EQIP and CSP.

Applications are accepted year-round, but October 30 is the date North Carolina producers should have their applications in to be considered for FY2027 funding.

If you think one of these programs may fit your farm, contact your local USDA Service Center or NRCS office to discuss eligibility and the application process.

Learn more about NRCS conservation programs: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/