North Dakota
Cost Share Opportunities and Options
Audubon
Audubon Conservation Ranching
This certification-based program focuses on grassland management, monitoring, and marketing. Certified ranches become eligible for market-based conservation incentives. The program supports rotational grazing, woody encroachment management, and prescribed fire, with financial assistance primarily targeted to western South Dakota.
Payment Rate
Market-based incentives and targeted financial assistance. Funding varies by practice.
Contact Information
Joshua Lefers
Phone: 605-770-2989
Email: joshua.lefers@audubon.org
Cody Grewing
Phone: 712-490-6720
Email: cody.grewing@audubon.org
Website
Conservation Forage Program
Improves wildlife habitat, forage availability and quality, and soil health
Establishes grasslands and integrates grazing and haying land management on private lands.
Payment Rate
- 3 year establishment payments
- 60% forage seed mix cost share
- $20 per acre for seeding labor
- 50% grazing infrastructure cost share
- Perimeter and cross fencing
- Water infrastructure
Contact Information
Audubon Dakota
(701) 298-3373
dakota@audubon.org
Conservation Technology Information Center
Farmers for Soil Health
Farmers for Soil Health is a three-year incentive program designed to expand cover crop adoption on acres with corn and/or soybeans in rotation. Compliance with NRCS 340 cover crop standards is required, and technical assistance is provided for seeding rates, timing, and mixes. Outreach and support are available in Dakotas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Participation cannot be stacked with other USDA programs for the same practice.
Payment Rates
Total payment of $50 per acre over three years.
Year 1: $25 per acre
Year 2: $15 per acre
Year 3: $10 per acre
Contact Information
Natasha Rathlev
Phone: 804-293-0425
Email: natasha@susches.org
Website
Ducks Unlimited
Cover Crop and Livestock Integration Program (CCLIP)
Cover crops and livestock improve soil health and functionality by restoring organic matter, increasing aggregate development and stability, reducing soil compaction and increasing water infiltration. Ducks Unlimited can provide cost-share assistance to cooperating producers through this unique North Dakota Outdoor Heritage Fund sponsored program. CCLIP offers producers 60% cost-share on grazing infrastructure, cover crop seed and windbreak panels. There are no batching periods for CCLIP so please contact a Ducks Unlimited representative today.
Website
Grasslands Enhancement Pilot Program (GEPP)
Funding is available at a 60% cost-share rate for grazing infrastructure and vegetation establishment. This includes the installation of water wells, pipelines, water tanks, a solar pump system, rural water and native grass plantings. The objectives of this program are to improve soil health on pastures, provide reliable water resources on leased land, increase plant diversity and improve drought tolerance of the pasture with planned rest and recovery periods.
Working Lands Conservation
Ducks Unlimited’s working land programs emphasize the restoration, enhancement, and retention of wetlands and grasslands. DU manages several grants for funding sources that emphasize conservation practices such as grassland/wetland restoration, livestock grazing systems on grasslands and croplands, and soil health practices. Reach out to your local biologist or agronomist on the website to request a consultation or more information.
Contact Information
Dane Buysse
Phone: 701-355-3584
Email: dbuysse@ducks.org
Website
https://www.ducks.org/newsroom/working-lands-program-with-nawca
Farm Service Agency
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
CRP is a voluntary USDA program that removes environmentally sensitive agricultural land from production and establishes long-term conservation cover. It improves soil erosion control, water quality, and wildlife habitat. Enrollment options include General CRP, Grassland CRP, Continuous CRP, SAFE, CLEAR30, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), and Farmable Wetlands. Contracts are administered by FSA, with technical support from NRCS, state agencies, conservation districts, and approved partners.
Payment Rates
Annual rental payments.
Cost share assistance for establishment.
Contract lengths are typically 10 to 15 years.
Contact Information
Contact your local Farm Service Agency office for more details.
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices
Website
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs?assistance_type%5B0%5D=12
Habitat One
Free Food Plot Seed
To help ensure wildlife have access to adequate nutrition during these challenging conditions, Habitat One has established a Free Food Plot See Program. This program is designed to assist landowners in providing reliable winter food and cover for wildlife through the establishment of dedicated food plots.
Contact Information
Brooke Fricke
Operations and Administration Manager
Phone: 308-362-7061
Email: brooke@habitat-one.org
Mule Deer Foundation
Private Lands Program
The Private Lands Program supports grazing infrastructure and management improvements, including virtual fencing and alternative grazing strategies. The program also funds replacement of degraded or obsolete fencing with wildlife-friendly fencing, as well as grazing management planning, regenerative grazing practices, wildlife habitat and ecosystem restoration, riparian restoration and protection, strategic wildlife crossings, and invasive species control. Wildlife-focused water developments in arid or seasonal habitats are also supported.
Payment Rates
No funding cap. Funding is pooled from multiple organizations.
Contact Information
David Stockdill
Phone: 701-471-9004
Email: dstockdill@muledeer.org
National Center for Appropriate Technology
Climate Beneficial Fiber Partnership
The Climate Beneficial Fiber Partnership supports the adoption of climate-smart practices for fiber producers, including those working with wool, alpaca, and cotton systems. Participants receive technical assistance and incentive payments to encourage sustainable production methods.
Payment Rates
Payments generally follow EQIP cost share rates.
Standard cost share is set at 75 percent.
Enhanced cost share of 90 percent is available for eligible producers and practices.
Contact Information
Alisha Horak, SD Senior Conservation Planner
Phone: 406-533-6653
Email: alishah@ncat.org
Website
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
- Protects agricultural viability and related conservation values
- Limits nonagricultural uses that negatively affect agricultural land
- Protects grazing uses by restoring or conserving eligible grazing land
- Protects, restores, and enhances wetlands on eligible land
- Includes Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE)
Payment Rates
- Dependent on the project
- Matching funds required to be funded.
Contact Information
Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office for more details.
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/north-dakota
Website
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives
Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)
- Competitive program supporting development of new tools, approaches, practices, and technologies
- Advances natural resource conservation on private land
Payment Rates
- Dependent on the project
Contact Information
Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office for more details.
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/north-dakota
Website
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
The Conservation Stewardship Program rewards producers who maintain existing conservation practices and implement additional enhancements on working lands. The program encourages long-term stewardship and continual improvement.
Payment Rates
Annual stewardship payments are provided.
Contracts last five years with minimum annual payment thresholds.
Contact Information
Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office for more details.
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/south-dakota
Website
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers for addressing natural resource concerns such as soil, water, air quality, and wildlife habitat. The program is designed to support a wide range of conservation practices.
Payment Rates
Typically, EQIP offers a 50 to 60 percent cost share.
Rates depend on the conservation practices implemented.
Contact Information
Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office for more details.
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/south-dakota
Website
Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)
- Promotes coordination of NRCS activities with partners
- Expands the ability to address on farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns
- Supports on the ground conservation activities implemented by farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners
Eligible Activities
- Land management and land improvement or restoration practices
- Land rentals
- Entity held easements
- United States held easements
- Public works and watershed projects
Payment Rates
- Typically 50 to 60 percent cost share
- Dependent on the practices utilized
Contact Information
Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office for more details.
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/north-dakota
Website
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives
Water Bank Program (WBP)
The Water Bank Program (WBP) is an NRCS conservation program that enables landowners and operators to keep water on the land to protect wetlands and provide wildlife habitat.
The program:
- Preserves and improves major wetlands as habitat for migratory waterfowl and other wildlife
- Conserves surface waters
- Reduces soil and wind erosion
- Contributes to flood control
- Improves water quality
- Improves subsurface moisture
- Enhances the natural beauty of the landscape
Payment Rates
- $50/acre/year for cropland
- $35/acre/year for pasture and range land (grazing lands)
- $20/acre/year for forestland
Contact Information
Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office for more details.
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/north-dakota
Website
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/wbp-water-bank-program
Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW)
The WLFW program focuses on conserving working rangelands while addressing priority wildlife and habitat concerns. Emphasis is placed on reducing woody plant encroachment and improving grassland resilience.
Payment Rates
Funding is based on project specifics.
Contact Information
Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office for more details.
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/south-dakota
Website
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/working-lands-for-wildlife
Natural Resources Trust
Meadowlark Initiative
- One stop resource for conservation programs and practices
- Supports establishment and management of working grasslands for sustainable grazing
Payment Rates
- Cost share assistance for grazing infrastructure including
- Border and perimeter fencing
Interior cross fencing - Watering systems
- Solar systems
- Grazing system upgrades
- Border and perimeter fencing
Contact Information
Heather Husband
701-223-8501
heather@naturalresourecestrust.com
North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts
Governor’s Legacy Soil Health and Habitat Program
The Governor’s Legacy Soil Health and Habitat Program is designed to help North Dakota farmers strengthen cropland productivity and resilience with perennial grass cover.
Payment Rates
This program is administered by the North Dakota Association of Soil Conservation Districts and delivered by local Soil Conservation Districts and partners
- Annual rental payment based on the average county rental rate.
- Cost-share for grass seed and seeding – $50/acre for seed | $50/acre for establishment.
- $10 per acre crop insurance premium reduction for every acre of perennial grass established.
- Optional $15 per acre public access incentive through NDGFD’s Private Land Open To Sportsmen program.
Contact Information
For more information, contact your local soil conservation district. https://www.ndascd.com/district-offices
Website
https://www.ndascd.com/governors-legacy
Red River Basin Wildlife and Water Quality Enhancement Pilot Program
Wildlife and water, two of North Dakota’s most important natural resources, provide recreational benefits and are the foundation for many economic opportunities across the state. This program aims to increase wildlife habitat and reduce potential nonpoint sources of pollutants impairing water quality and will benefit wildlife, pollinators and water quality in the Red River Valley. Seven Soil Conservation Districts in the Red River Basin are coordinating with the ND Game and Fish Department and ND Department of Environmental Quality to develop cost share agreements which help agricultural producers establish vegetation on marginally productive cropland acres. Additional cost share is available for management and maintenance of the vegetation. The program is available in Cass, Grand Forks, Griggs, Ransom, Richland, Sargent and Walsh counties.
Payment Rates
Cost share for eligible practices is sixty percent (60%), supported with Outdoor Heritage funds. The balance of costs (i.e., 40%) will be the responsibility of the producer.
In addition to cost share, producers are also eligible to receive payments for the management and maintenance of select practices.
Contact Information
For more information, contact your local soil conservation district. https://www.ndascd.com/district-offices
Website
North Dakota Conservation District Employee Association
Statewide Tree Planting Initiative
The ND Conservation District Employees Association, with funds from the ND Outdoor Heritage Fund, is continuing to fund the ND Statewide Tree Planting Initiative.
Payment Rates
- Cost-share is 75/25
- Planning, planting, and weed barrier –all included!
- All districts in ND are eligible – applications vary by district
Contact Information
Check here to find your local district office.
North Dakota Game, Fish, & Parks Programs
Private Lands Open to Sportsmen (PLOTS)
- Voluntary program providing public hunting access to private lands
- Increases walk-in access for hunters
- Offers financial incentives to landowners
Eligible Practices and Incentives
- Native grass plantings
- Tame grass plantings
- Wildlife food plots
- CRP incentives
- Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) incentives
Payment Rates
- Payment structures vary by agreement type
- Payments may be one-time, upfront, or annual
- Agreement lengths range from 2 to 30 years
- Cost-share available for habitat development or enhancement
Contact Information
Kevin Kading
(701) 527-1081
or
Jaden Honeyman
(701)260-3546
Wetlands Reserve Easement Program
Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) is a federal conservation program delivered by the USDA-NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service). Enrolling provides landowners with cost-share, technical assistance, and a substantial up-front payment to restore, protect or enhance wetlands and associated uplands for 30 years.
The Departments’ WRE Incentive is a companion program that provides an up-front payment to landowners to allow public walk-in hunting access on private property enrolled in a Wetland Reserve Easement.
The Department selects tracts to fund based on accessibility, location, and habitat diversity.
Payment Rates
The Department will provide a one-time up-front payment at enrollment of $10/acre/year.
Contact Information
Curt Francis
Phone: 701-516-4548
Email: cvfrancis@nd.gov
Website
https://www.dakotalegacyinitiative.com/programs/wetland-reserve-easement-incentive/
Wildlife Food Plots Seed Promotion
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is offering free seed for the 2026 growing season to landowners interested in planting wildlife food plots for pheasants.
This program is meant to assist interested landowners with habitat, as well as provide food for pheasants, deer, turkeys and a variety of other animals.
Website
Landowners who are interested in receiving the food plot seed must sign up online by April 4.
Working Lands Program
The Working Lands Program provides multi-year rental and access payments to private landowners for maintaining and improving wildlife habitat and implementing management activities that have a positive impact on wildlife habitat on active agricultural lands and working grasslands.
Payment Rates
- Payments vary based on land use, habitat features and management activities.
- Landowners may also receive cost-share and increased payments for implementing new conservation practices or developing new habitat.
Contact Information
Kevin Kading
(701) 527-1081
Website
https://gf.nd.gov/private-lands/landowner-programs/plots/working-lands
Northern Great Plains Joint Venture
Northern Grassland Restoration Incentive Program (N-GRIP)
N-GRIP restores and enhances grasslands through reseeding, grazing infrastructure, and management practices that benefit producers and grassland wildlife.
Payment Rates
50 percent cost share.
In-kind landowner contributions are eligible.
Contact Information
Catherine Wightman
Phone: 406-599-7384
Email: cwightman@ducks.org
Website
Pheasants Forever
Public Access to Habitat (P.A.T.H.)
P.A.T.H. encourages enrollment of private land into public access across North Dakota, working in conjunction with the North Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Walk In Area program. The initiative provides additional financial incentives for wildlife habitat open to public access and was launched in 2023.
Payment Rates
Undisturbed habitat receives a one-time payment of $25 per acre from P.A.T.H.
Additional incentives and annual payments are provided through SD Game, Fish and Parks.
Working lands with hunting access are eligible.
Payment rates for working lands are determined at application by the P.A.T.H. review committee.
Contact Information
Emily Spolyar
Email: espolyar@pheasantsforever.org
Website
https://www.pheasantsforever.org/path
The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund
Seed a Legacy
Transform 2+ acres of land into thriving, high-quality habitat with long-term ecological impact. Must be a new project.
Payment Rates
2-25 acres receive seed at no cost, 25+ receive seed at a reduced cost.
Contact Information
701-658-2967
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Grassland Easement
A grassland easement (also known as a habitat easement) is a legal agreement signed with the United States of America, through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, that pays landowners to permanently keep their land in grass. Landowners who sell a grassland easement to the Service agree to maintain permanent vegetative cover such as forbs, grasses, and low shrubs. Many landowners plan on never putting their land into crop production and can benefit from the added cash incentive of a grassland easement. Land covered by a grassland easement may not be cultivated. Mowing, haying and grass seed harvesting are restricted and may be delayed until after July 15 each year. This specific restriction is designed to help grassland nesting species, such as ducks and pheasants, complete their nesting before the grass is disturbed. Property subject to a grassland easement remains on local tax rolls. By selling easements, landowners receive funds to pay down debt, reinvest in capital improvements, or buy other lands to maintain and/or expand working lands.
Payment Rates
The Service will determine the value of the easement and will provide a written offer in a document called a Statement of Just Compensation. The statement will describe the property encumbered by the easement and the amount of the payment. A single lump-sum payment will be made.
Contact Information
Mick Hanan
Phone: 605-481-2347
Email: mick_hanan@fws.gov
Website
https://www.fws.gov/apps/service/grassland-easements
Wetland Easement
A wetland easement is a legal agreement signed with the United States of America, through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, that pays landowners to permanently protect wetlands. Landowners who sell a wetland easement to the Service agree that wetlands protected by an easement cannot be drained, filled, leveled or burned. If these wetlands dry up naturally, they can be farmed, grazed or hayed. Wetlands covered by an easement are mapped, and a copy of the easement and maps is provided to the landowner. The easement contract is recorded at the county courthouse Register of Deeds office. No signs are placed on the property. Property subject to a wetland easement remains on local tax rolls. By selling easements, landowners receive funds to pay down debt, reinvest in capital improvements, or buy other lands to maintain and/or expand working lands.
Payment Rates
The Service will determine the value of the easement and will provide a written offer in a document called a Statement of Just Compensation. The statement will describe the property encumbered by the easement and the amount of the payment. A single lump-sum payment will be made.
Contact Information
Mick Hanan
Phone: 605-481-2347
Email: mick_hanan@fws.gov
Website
https://www.fws.gov/service/wetland-easements
South Dakota Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
This program supports wetland restoration, grassland enhancement, and grassland restoration. Wetland restoration focuses on prairie pothole hydrology, while grassland enhancement uses managed grazing plans with added water and fencing. Restoration involves seeding cropland back to diverse native grass and forb mixes, benefiting pollinators, grassland birds, and livestock production.
Payment Rates
Funding is project-based.
Contact Information
Chuck Pyle
Phone: 605-697-2500
Email: chuck_pyle@fws.gov
Website
https://www.fws.gov/program/partners-fish-and-wildlife
World Wildlife Fund
Ranch Systems and Viability Planning (RSVP)
RSVP supports ranch planning and on-the-ground improvements to enhance long-term ranch viability. Eligible activities include water developments, fencing, beaver dam analogs, grazing plans, and related infrastructure.
Payment Rates
Up to 50 percent of total project costs not covered by the rancher or partners.
Maximum funding is $60,000 per ranch.
Contact Information
Alexis Bonogofsky
Email: alexis.bonogofsky@wwfus.org