USDA is making 7-million dollars available to eligible farmers, ranchers and private non-industrial forest landowners in 11 states to implement conservation practices on agricultural and nonindustrial private forest lands through the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative. The funds will help producers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, New York, Oregon, Virginia and Washington create natural resource benefits such as clean air, clean water, productive soils, and abundant wildlife on their operations.

Individual farmers, ranchers and private landowners located in approved project areas may now apply through their local NRCS office to find out whether they are eligible for financial and technical assistance. They can use that assistance to address conservation priorities; meet federal, state, and local regulatory requirements related to production; cooperate to install and maintain conservation practices; and develop and demonstrate innovative conservation practices and delivery methods.

Partner proposals were selected competitively based on previously identified criteria. Potential partners were not required to provide matching funding but increased their chance of selection by providing financial, technical, or other resources.