Where Things Stand with 2024 RCPP Awards, and What Comes Next
Overview
This blog explains the recent reduction in USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program awards, where only 28 of the original 92 selected projects from 2024 will move forward with funding. It covers how shifting political dynamics and potential congressional action to revoke unspent Inflation Reduction Act funds led to this narrowed list. The post also highlights promising developments ahead, including proposed funding increases through 2030 and a new RCPP application window expected later this year. Overall, it reassures affected organizations that this setback represents a shift in timing rather than a permanent loss of opportunity.
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Last fall, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) named 92 projects as recipients of 2024 Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) awards. For months, partner organizations waited to move forward with these projects,many of which were set to receive support from Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding.
But after a period of silence and shifting political winds, NRCS recently informed awardees that only 28 of those 92 projects will be eligible to receive funding. These selected projects will move ahead using a combination of fiscal year 2025 Farm Bill allocations and available reserve dollars.
This decision has left many partners surprised, especially since some of the projects that were originally linked to Farm Bill funding, not IRA funding, also lost support. In other words, even those that were expected to be insulated from changes to IRA funding weren’t guaranteed protection.
Why the change? Congressional action plays a major role. Both the House and Senate have introduced legislation that would revoke unspent IRA funds, including those designated for RCPP. In anticipation of this, USDA reassessed the full slate of projects and narrowed the list significantly.
Last week, a list of the 28 projects
Looking Ahead: New Opportunities on the Horizon
While the outcome has been disappointing for many organizations, there are still important signs of momentum for RCPP:
- Funding is expected to grow. Both chambers of Congress have proposed expanding the program’s annual funding—from the current $300 million to $425 million in 2026 and $450 million annually through 2030. This points to continued confidence in the value of collaborative conservation.
- Another round of funding is coming. USDA is expected to open the next RCPP funding opportunity later this year. Many of the organizations affected by this recent decision will have another chance to apply—with clearer expectations and, potentially, more robust and durable funding sources.
At FarmRaise, we recognize the uncertainty this process has created. We also know that conservation work is long-term, deeply rooted, and too important to pause. For those whose projects were not selected, this isn’t the end of the road—it’s a shift in timing and approach.
Our team is here to help you stay prepared. Whether you need support with a future application or want to explore other USDA conservation programs in the meantime, we’re here to guide you forward.
Let’s keep the momentum going.
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FAQs
Why did USDA reduce the number of funded RCPP projects from 92 to 28?
Congressional action to revoke unspent Inflation Reduction Act funds, including those designated for RCPP, led USDA to reassess the full list of 2024 awardees. This resulted in a significantly narrowed list of 28 projects that will move forward using fiscal year 2025 Farm Bill allocations and reserve dollars.
Did all the projects originally tied to Farm Bill funding remain protected?
Surprisingly, some projects originally linked to Farm Bill funding rather than IRA funding also lost their support. This caught many partner organizations off guard, since these projects were expected to be insulated from changes affecting IRA dollars.
How will the selected 28 projects be funded going forward?
These projects will move ahead using a combination of fiscal year 2025 Farm Bill allocations and available reserve dollars. This funding structure reflects USDA's effort to keep priority projects moving despite the broader funding uncertainty.
Is RCPP funding expected to increase in the coming years?
Both the House and Senate have proposed expanding the program's annual funding from the current 300 million dollars to 425 million dollars in 2026 and 450 million dollars annually through 2030. This proposed growth suggests continued confidence in the value of collaborative conservation efforts.
What options exist for organizations whose projects weren't selected this round?
USDA is expected to open another RCPP funding opportunity later this year, giving many affected organizations a chance to reapply. This new round may come with clearer expectations and potentially more stable funding sources than the previous cycle.
How is FarmRaise supporting organizations affected by this funding decision?
FarmRaise acknowledges the uncertainty this process has created and emphasizes that conservation work is long term and too important to pause. Their team offers support for future applications and guidance on exploring other USDA conservation programs in the meantime.