Purpose is to provide program support services to nrcs field offices to reduce the burden of financial assistance contract management and increase the efficiency of customer service in louisiana

The National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) awarded $637,000 to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry (LDAF) under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (CFDA 10.912) effective September 16, 2025, through September 29, 2029. This cooperative agreement provides program support services to reduce the administrative burden on NRCS field offices throughout Louisiana by enhancing the efficiency of financial assistance contract management and improving customer service delivery. The award supports technical assistance operations that enable farmers, ranchers, and non-industrial private forest land owners to implement eligible conservation practices while maintaining compliance with NRCS program requirements.

LDAF's Central Depository Account Division serves as the administrative vehicle for delivering these support services, which complement NRCS's broader conservation mission of promoting compatible agricultural production, forest management, and environmental quality goals. The four-year funding period aligns with NRCS's technical assistance delivery framework under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which prioritizes livestock production practices (50% of available program funds) and wildlife habitat conservation (10% of available funds) across eligible lands in Louisiana.