Augmenting nrcs staff to assist in meeting the outstanding CRP workload within the state

The National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) awarded County of Allen a $250,000 cooperative agreement on August 28, 2025, under the Conservation Reserve Program (CFDA 10.069) to augment NRCS staffing resources and assist in managing the outstanding Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) workload within Indiana. The award, with a completion date of June 26, 2030, provides funding to enhance the county's technical capacity to deliver conservation program services and support implementation activities. This staffing augmentation directly supports the CRP's core mission of contracting with landowners to implement voluntary conservation practices that reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and support wildlife habitat on environmentally sensitive agricultural lands.

As a local government entity operating through its Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), County of Allen leverages this funding to strengthen program delivery infrastructure and expand technical assistance capabilities. The award demonstrates NRCS's investment in third-party organizational capacity to enhance the Conservation Reserve Program's effectiveness and reach, allowing the county to better serve agricultural producers and advance environmental stewardship across the region over the five-year grant period.