Cost Share Program Assistance Programs
Maine Woodland Owners, in partnership with Natural Resource Conservation Service, assists woodland owners and foresters with the implementation of practices to enhance their forestland.
Receive help to learn about all of the cost-share programs available,
Work closely with our forestry outreach coordinator to understand, encourage the use of, and qualify for forestry cost-share programs,
To receive assistance, please contact:
Olivia Nicolarsen
Forestry Outreach Coordinator
207-626-0005/olivia@mainewoodlandowners.org
YOUR VOICE CAN BE HEARD
Local stakeholders are best suited to identify and resolve conservation issues in their communities. Local Working Groups (LWG) assist the USDA in matters relating to implementation and technical aspects of conservation programs under Title II of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill).
These LWG meetings are open the public and a great opportunity where you voice is heard. Topics of discussion include focus resource concerns, fund pools, percent local allocation per pool, ranking questions, and required state goals (wildlife, livestock, socially disadvantaged, and beginning farmer).
The following is a list of Local Working Group meeting dates for discussion of Fiscal Year 2026 program delivery priorities:
UPCOMING EVENTS
Cost-Share Programs for Forest Owners
Thursday, December 18, 2024
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Join Olivia Nicolarsen, Forestry Outreach Coordinator and Sean Horan with University of Maine Cooperative Extension for this online program to learn the basics of NRCS cost-share programs, where to start, programs available to forest owners, and information about Climate Smart forestry. There will be time for questions and resources will be made available to help woodland owners understand if cost-share programs are a good fit for their forest management plans.
Find your local NRCS office HERE
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, and landowners to implement conservation practices that improve soil, water, and air quality. Potential practices include soil erosion, wildlife habitat restoration, and timber stand improvement, helping landowners meet environmental goals.
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) offers incentives for landowners to maintain and improve existing conservation practices and adopt new ones on eligible land. This program focuses on enhancing environmental quality by rewarding landowners for their ongoing stewardship efforts. CSP supports long-term sustainability by encouraging continuous improvements in conservation practices.
Read the article, “Help in a Hard Time” by Jack Beaudoin that was published in the Autumn 2024 edition of Northern Woodlands about cost-share programs that were created to respond to the historic storms during winter 2023 - 2024.
FIND A TECHNICAL SERVICE PROVIDER
Technical service providers (TSPs) work on behalf of the customer/landowner to offer planning, design, and implementation services that meets NRCS criteria. This assistance helps improve the producer's operation and addresses resource concerns on their land. Technical assistance includes conservation planning and design, layout, installation, and checkout of approved conservation practices.
When the technical services are completed the TSP provides the documentation and an invoice to the customer/landowner. The producer pays the TSP and provides the information to NRCS. NRCS reimburses the customer/landowner based on the not to exceed rates provided within the producer’s conservation program contract with USDA.