IMPORTANT DEADLINE: NRCS Conservation Programs

NRCS announced a national January 15, 2026, batching deadline for the first funding round of key conservation programs (EQIP, CSP, ACEP, AMA and the new Regenerative Pilot Program). This national batching date ensures producers have a clear, consistent timeline for participating in Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), and Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA). This includes NRCS’ new Regenerative Pilot Program, which provides targeted Farmer First assistance through EQIP and CSP.

Updated NRCS Program Timelines

• All NRCS conservation programs remain continuous sign-up.
• Farmers and ranchers have until January 15, 2026,to apply for the first batching period.
• National and State Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) will follow later in the year.
• PL-566 and Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) opportunities remain open for sponsors based on available funding.

Programs with a January 15, 2026, batching period deadline include:

• Agricultural Conservation Easement Program(ACEP)
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program(EQIP)
• Conservation Stewardship Program(CSP)
• Agricultural Management Assistance Program(AMA)
• New NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program(EQIP & CSP)

Alameda County farmers and ranchers interested in applying for NRCS programs, email Veronica Rivera at veronica.rivera@usda.gov for general farming and ranching, and Annie Edwards at annie.edwards@usda.gov for urban farming.

For additional information about NRCS, please visit nrcs.usda.gov.

Project Update: Audubon Conservation Ranching Program

This year, the ACRCD continued our partnership with Audubon Conservation Ranching California (ACR) to promote bird friendly ranching in Alameda County. North American grassland birds have seen a devastating decline in population over the past half-century due to habitat degradation and land-use change. In response to this decline, Audubon’s Conservation Ranching program aims to enhance the biodiversity, productivity, and resilience of grassland ecosystems for birds and the people that depend on them.

In 2024, ACRCD helped the 3 Calhoun Sisters’ Ranch become the first ACR certified ranch in Alameda County after developing the property’s habitat management plan. In 2025, ACRCD staff conducted the first year of monitoring at the 3 Calhoun Sisters’ Ranch and is working towards certification with a second local ranch. Pairing habitat management plan implementation with robust monitoring enables ranchers to control invasive species, restore native plant and bird communities, and promote local food systems. Monitoring metrics include bird populations, vegetation changes, and soil health that in-turn allows land managers to measure conservation success and market that success to consumers. With this information, informed consumers can purchase beef sourced from ranches that support bird conservation and healthy habitats. The end goal is to create value for regenerative grazing, management of rangeland that provides ecological, environmental, social, and economic benefits for local communities.

To learn more about ACRCD’s work with the Audubon Conservation Ranching program, contact owen.sowerwine@acrcd.org or visit our website at https://acrcd.org/projects/audubon-conservation-ranching-program/.

In addition to purchasing ACR certified beef, another way to support bird conservation is by participating in Audubon’s annual Christmas Bird Count. This year’s count begins December 14^th and concludes January 5^th – if you are interested in participating in an Alameda County Christmas Bird Count, contacts for the count leads are listed below.

Christmas Bird Counts in Alameda County:

Golden Gate Bird Alliance

• Date: 12/14/2025
• Contact: Dawn Lemoine & Viviana Wolinski
  • oaklandcbc@goldengatebirds.org

Eastern Alameda County (Alameda Creek Alliance & Ohlone Audubon)

• Date: 12/19/2025
• Contact: Derek Heins
  • dlheins@gmail.com
  • cbc@gmail.com

Hayward-Fremont

• Date: 12/14/2025
• Contact: Bob Toleno
  • bob@toleno.com

Congratulations ACRCD Board President, Karen Sweet!

The Alameda County Resource Conservation District (ACRCD) is proud to congratulate our Board President, Karen Sweet, and former ACRCD Vice President, the late Darrel Sweet, on being honored as the 2025 Conservationists of the Year by the California Rangeland Trust. This recognition celebrates their enduring leadership in advancing ranching, conservation, and the protection of working landscapes in Alameda County and across California. Karen and Darrel’s decision to permanently protect more than 360 acres of their ranch through a conservation easement exemplifies the stewardship values at the heart of the ACRCD’s mission to enhance natural resource conservation, preserve wildlife and habitat, and support sustainable agricultural and rangeland management. As partners—not regulators—to our local landowners and ranching community, we deeply value the trust that allows us to work collaboratively toward shared conservation goals. We commend Karen for continuing to carry forward the vision for Sweet Ranch with unwavering dedication, and we celebrate this well-deserved recognition of their legacy.

Conservation Easement Webinar Video

This recent workshop was designed for landowners in Alameda County interested in preserving their land and for ranchers with a vested interest in land stewardship.

Attendees gained a deeper understanding of how conservation easements can benefit both the owner and the land. Experts were on hand to discuss the application process, financial incentives, and answer questions. Additionally, funding opportunities specific to Alameda County were shared.

Please watch the recording of this webinar on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/se6J7k8p5HE?si=hj91ykRf2NVHA4lv

Questions? Contact Ian Howell, ian.howell@acrcd.org 

Alameda County Conservation Partnership

The Alameda County Resource Conservation District (ACRCD) and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) collaborate as the Conservation Partnership to serve as the lead conservation agency in Alameda County. We provide technical and educational services for natural resource conservation and agriculture enhancement. The Partnership collaborates with many partners including private landowners, local, state and federal agencies and other organizations to develop and implement various conservation and agricultural strategies. The ACRCD also works closely, on a fee for service basis, with public agencies and private sector companies, to help achieve conservation based goals.