Skip to main content
Home/Rebates/National/NRCS EQIP Pollinator Habitat

National Water Rebates

NRCS EQIP Pollinator Habitat Cost-Share

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) pays up to 50% of the average cost to establish approved conservation practices on private agricultural land. For pollinators, the primary funded practice is Conservation Practice 420 (Wildlife Habitat Planting), which establishes native flowering plants, milkweed, and cover plants that support bee and butterfly populations. EQIP is available in all 50 states. Payment rates are set annually per state and practice. This program is designed for farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners, not residential homeowners.

Common steps for every program in this guide

  1. Find your local NRCS field office. Use the USDA office locator at offices.usda.gov to find the NRCS office serving your county. Call ahead to schedule a site visit with a conservation planner.
  2. Get a USDA farm number if you don't have one. You need a USDA farm number to be eligible. Visit or call your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office, which is usually in the same building as NRCS. Bring a property deed or lease agreement and a valid tax ID.
  3. Request a conservation planning visit. Your NRCS planner will visit your property, assess natural resource concerns, and recommend eligible practices. Technical assistance is free. The planner will help you identify which pollinator practices (Practice 420, Practice 327) fit your land.
  4. Submit application Form CPA-1200. Complete and submit Form CPA-1200 at your local NRCS office. Applications are accepted year-round, but each state sets ranking dates — applications received by that date are considered for the current funding cycle. FY2026 ranking dates will be published at nrcs.usda.gov.
  5. Sign your contract and implement. NRCS ranks applications by conservation benefit and state priority. If funded, you receive a contract offer. After signing, NRCS provides practice specifications. Payments are made after practices are certified as complete by your planner.

Full application guide for NRCS EQIP Pollinator Habitat: required documents and how to avoid rejection

Rebates available

NRCS EQIP Pollinator Habitat Cost-Share FAQs

Can a residential homeowner apply for EQIP pollinator funding?
No. EQIP requires an active agricultural operation and a USDA farm number. Residential homeowners without a qualifying farm or ranch operation are not eligible. Urban and suburban homeowners should look at city water utility rebate programs, which offer cash rebates for removing turf and planting native landscaping — see the related links below.
What is the payment rate for Practice 420 in my state?
Payment rates are set annually per state and county. Use the NRCS payment schedules tool at nrcs.usda.gov/getting-assistance/payment-schedules, select your state and county, and look up practice E420A to see current rates. Rates change each fiscal year.
When is the EQIP application deadline for FY2026?
Applications are accepted year-round, but each state sets ranking dates that determine which funding cycle your application enters. Ranking dates for FY2026 will be published at nrcs.usda.gov. The FY2025 pattern was three rounds with cutoffs in November, January, and March.
What plants are required for an EQIP Practice 420 pollinator planting?
Practice 420 requires a minimum of 9 plant species: at least 3 that bloom early in the season, 3 that bloom mid-season, and 3 that bloom late in the season. All species must be from your state NRCS-approved plant list. Tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is generally excluded in favor of native milkweed species. Your NRCS planner will provide the state-specific list.
Can I get both EQIP funding and a local utility rebate for the same project?
Possibly, but you must disclose both funding sources to each program. EQIP contracts prohibit receiving other federal payments for the same conservation practice on the same land. State and local utility rebates are not federal funds, so they may be stackable — confirm with your NRCS planner and the utility program before applying to both.

We're considering this

Want help applying for one of these rebates?

We're considering a guided concierge service that walks you through the paperwork for your local rebate. Tell us if you'd use it.

Get started

Plan a native yard with Pollinator Patch.

Pick the right native plants for your region, design an HOA-friendly layout, and generate documentation that supports your rebate application.

Open on desktop

iPhone appAndroid app

See a problem with a program? Report it

Programs change throughout the year. If something here is out of date or wrong, tell us and we'll check it against the provider.

We compile these programs from utility and city pages, and not every amount here has been independently confirmed. Program details also change throughout the year. Always verify requirements, amounts, and eligibility directly with your water utility before starting work. Pollinator Patch is not affiliated with any rebate program and does not guarantee approval.