The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Wallowa, Wasco, and Wheeler Counties are accepting applications for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). ECP provides cost-share and technical assistance to producers damaged by a qualifying natural disaster to restore farmland to pre-disaster conditions. ECP signup begins on November 2, 2026, and ends December 31, 2026. 

Approved ECP applicants can receive up to 75% of the allowable cost of the approved restoration activity with a maximum cost share of $500,000 per natural disaster event.  

Approved ECP practices include: 

• Non-engineering practices
  • Debris removal
  • Fence Restoration
  • Critical area planting
  • Cover crop planting
  • Windbreak-shelterbelt establishment

Check with FSA before beginning other work such as:

• Repairing dams, ponds, irrigation field ditches, lined waterway or underground outlet
• Grading, shaping or releveling
• Repairing grade stabilization structures, grassed waterways or terraces

ECP cost-share assistance can provide advance payments for up to 25% of the total allowable cost for all ECP practices before the restoration is carried out. The advance payment must be spent within 60 days.

Producers who lease federally owned or managed lands, including tribal trust land, as well as state land, are eligible to participate in ECP.  

Conservation concerns present on the land prior to the qualifying natural disaster event are not eligible for ECP assistance.  

More Information

To learn more about ECP, producers can contact their local County FSA Office or visitfarmers.gov/protection-recovery.