The Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP)

REAP is a first-come, first-served program that enables farmers, businesses, and landowners to earn PA income tax credits to offset the cost of implementing conservation practices.  Tax credits provided by the REAP program helps farmers off-set the costs of implementing best management practices (BMPs), the development of plans, such as Nutrient Management Plans, Manure Management Plans, Conservation Plans, and Ag Erosion & Sediment Control plans, and the purchase of no-till planting and precision nutrient application equipment that benefit their farms and work to protect water quality at the same time. The program is administered by the State Conservation Commission and the tax credits are awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Eligible applicants may receive between 50% and 75% of project costs as state tax credits for up to $150,000 per agricultural operation.  The amount of tax credit available to a recipient is dependent on the type of BMP implemented. For more information, follow the link above or read through the REAP Guidelines PDF.

More information about eligible Best Management Practices (BMPs) for REAP and AgriLink programs can be found here.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

EQIP, administered through the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), was reauthorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) to provide a voluntary conservation program for farmers and ranchers that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land. To learn more, contact the Bucks County Conservation District or the NRCS Perkasie Field Office.

EQIP provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers and forest landowners to address natural resource concerns, such as:

  • Improved water and air quality;
  • Conserved ground and surface water;
  • Increased soil health ;
  • Reduced soil erosion and sedimentation;
  • Improved or created wildlife habitat; and
  • Mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.

​The Agriculture-linked low Interest Loan (AgriLink) Program 

The AgriLink Program provides $25 million in low-interest loans to assist farmers in implementation of best management practices listed in approved Act 38 nutrient management plans, Chapter 91 manure management plans, agricultural Erosion and Sedimentation plans (Ag E&S) or conservation plans. It is not the intention of the AgriLink Program to replace other loan programs currently available at lending institutions. This program is intended to supplement the portfolio of loan programs that are available at lending institutions. AgriLink loans cannot exceed $250,000 for individual projects. The maximum loan term is twelve (12) years and may be structured as a construction loan. Interest rates are currently targeted at three percent (3%) below current market rates. A list of eligible lending institutions can be found here. More information about eligible Best Management Practices (BMPs) for REAP and AgriLink programs can be found here.

The Conservation Stewardship Program

This program, also administered by NRCS under the US Farm Bill, helps agricultural producers maintain and improve their existing conservation systems and adopt additional conservation activities to address priority resources concerns.  Participants earn CSP payments for conservation performance – the higher the performance, the higher the payment. Whether you are looking to improve grazing conditions, increase crop resiliency, or develop wildlife habitat, we can custom design a CSP plan to help you meet those goals. We can help you identify natural resource problems in your operation and provide technical and financial assistance to solve those problems or attain higher stewardship levels in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner.

Ag Plan Reimbursement Program

The Bucks County Conservation District, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) is administering a program to provide financial assistance to those who hire private consultants to develop their Agriculture Erosion & Sedimentation Control Plans (Ag E&S Plans), Manure Management Plans (MMPs), Conservation Plans, and/or Nutrient Management Plans. Applicants can be reimbursed up to 80% for the cost of the plan. Please click the link above for more information and the application.

Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP)

The Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) was created through the Clean Streams Fund established by the FY2022-2023 Pennsylvania State Budget.  ACAP provides financial and technical assistance for the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) on agricultural operations within the Commonwealth. ACAP is administered by the State Conservation Commission and delegated to participating conservation districts for local implementation of the program.

ACAP was dedicated $154 million from the Clean Streams Fund to reduce non-point source (NPS) pollution in Commonwealth streams, rivers and waterbodies.

Click here for BCCD’s ACAP application form.