Farming for cleaner water - upper scioto river watershed project: demonstrating a payment for ecosystem services program based on the stewardship tool for environmental performance

The American Farmland Trust received a $1.064 million Project Grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (CFDA 10.912), awarded September 30, 2025, with completion targeted for September 30, 2028. The award funds the "Farming for Cleaner Water—Upper Scioto River Watershed Project," which demonstrates a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) program based on the Stewardship Tool for Environmental Performance (STEP). The initiative is designed to incentivize and compensate agricultural producers in Ohio's Upper Scioto River Watershed for adopting conservation practices that improve water quality and environmental outcomes.

The project will provide technical assistance, program design, and implementation support to farmers and landowners in the Upper Scioto River Watershed to encourage voluntary participation in the PES program. The demonstration project aligns with EQIP's core mission of promoting agricultural production alongside environmental quality and water resource protection, with anticipated benefits including adoption of soil and water conservation practices, improved water quality, and sustainable agricultural management. As a national nonprofit organization with extensive experience administering federal conservation grants, the American Farmland Trust will leverage its technical expertise to deliver education, outreach, and implementation services while monitoring conservation practice adoption and ecosystem service outcomes throughout the project period.