Nebraska Farm Programs Guide

Last Updated: February 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. [Report an error]

Quick Facts

Federal Programs in Nebraska

Federal programs like EQIP, CSP, and FSA loans are available nationwide, but how they work in practice varies by state — each state sets its own EQIP priorities, ranking criteria, and application deadlines. Below is how the federal programs apply specifically in Nebraska. For full details on any program, read the federal program guides.

EQIP in Nebraska

Nebraska is the nation's #1 state for cattle on feed and a top cow-calf state. EQIP priorities reflect the mix of rangeland livestock operations (Sandhills and western Nebraska) and intensive crop-livestock systems (eastern Nebraska).

Nebraska EQIP Priorities:

• Livestock waste management and water quality (eastern Nebraska, particularly in areas with concentrated animal operations)
• Grazing management on rangeland (Sandhills, Panhandle)
• Irrigation water management and efficiency (critical — Nebraska has more irrigated acres than any state)
• Soil health on cropland
• Pollinator and wildlife habitat
• Groundwater protection (Ogallala Aquifer region)

Livestock-Specific Practices Commonly Funded:

• Cross-fencing for rotational grazing (especially Sandhills ranches)
• Livestock water development (windmill-fed tanks, solar pumps, pipelines)
• Prescribed grazing systems
• Waste management systems (for feedlot operations)
• Heavy use area protection
• Watering facility installation
• Nutrient management planning
• Windbreak/shelterbelt establishment and renovation

What ranks well in Nebraska: Water quality and quantity dominate. Applications that address irrigation efficiency (converting from flood to pivot or drip), livestock waste management, or Ogallala Aquifer protection score highest in most areas. In the Sandhills, rangeland health and grazing management are top priorities. If you're a cow-calf operation in the Sandhills with fencing and water needs, EQIP is built for you.

Nebraska EQIP payment schedules: Available on the Nebraska NRCS website. Payment rates are updated each fiscal year.

→ Read the full EQIP guide

CSP in Nebraska

Nebraska ranches — particularly Sandhills operations that have been managing grass sustainably for generations — are often excellent CSP candidates. If you're already doing rotational grazing on native range, CSP pays you for that management.

Nebraska CSP Priorities:

• Grazing land management enhancements
• Soil health on cropland (cover crops, reduced tillage)
• Water quality improvements
• Irrigation efficiency enhancements
• Wildlife habitat

Enhancements Popular With Nebraska Livestock Operations:

• Adaptive grazing management
• Drought management planning
• Monitoring grazing land health
• Cover cropping in crop-livestock rotations
• Nutrient management on hayland and pasture

Big opportunity for Sandhills ranchers: The Sandhills is one of the largest intact grassland ecosystems in North America. Operations managing this landscape well can qualify for significant CSP payments on large acreage. A 10,000-acre Sandhills ranch with good grazing management could see $20,000–$60,000+ annually.

→ Read the full CSP guide

CRP in Nebraska

Nebraska has significant CRP enrollment, particularly in the Rainwater Basin (south-central Nebraska) and on marginal cropland across the state.

• General CRP: For marginal cropland, particularly dryland acres with erosion risk
• Continuous CRP: Riparian buffers, grass waterways, filter strips
• CREP: Nebraska has a CREP focused on the Platte River and Republican River basins
• Grassland CRP: For maintaining existing grassland at risk of conversion

FSA Programs in Nebraska

Current Disaster Designations: Check farmers.gov/protection-recovery for current drought and disaster designations. Nebraska regularly has counties designated for drought, severe storms, and flooding.

Key FSA Programs:

• Direct and Guaranteed Farm Ownership and Operating Loans
• Microloans (up to $50,000 — simplified application)
• Emergency Farm Loans (for designated disaster areas)
• Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) — for livestock death due to blizzards, tornadoes, or extreme weather
• ELAP — covers drought-related grazing losses and emergency water hauling
• Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) — triggered by drought monitor conditions
• Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) — for fence and infrastructure damage from storms, floods, or blizzards

Nebraska FSA State Office: (402) 437-5581

Nebraska-Specific Programs

These programs are funded and run by state or regional entities, not the federal government. They can often be stacked with federal programs like EQIP.

Natural Resources Districts (NRDs)

Nebraska's 23 Natural Resources Districts are unique in the country — they're local government entities with taxing authority focused on natural resource management. Many NRDs offer cost-share programs for:

• Irrigation efficiency improvements
• Livestock waste management
• Rangeland and pasture improvement
• Tree planting and windbreaks
• Erosion control

NRD cost-share can stack with EQIP. If you're doing an irrigation efficiency project, check both EQIP and your NRD.

Find your NRD: nrdnet.org

Nebraska Environmental Trust (NET)

NET provides grants for environmental improvement projects, including agricultural conservation. These are typically larger-scale projects and often go through partnerships (conservation districts, NRDs, or nonprofits), but individual landowners can benefit.

Website: environmentaltrust.org

Nebraska Game and Parks — Landowner Programs

• Open Fields and Waters: Payments for allowing public hunting access on private land
• Conservation Partners Program: Cost-share for habitat improvements
• Damage Prevention: Assistance with deer, elk, and predator damage

Nebraska Tax Provisions for Ag

• Agricultural Land Valuation: Farm and ranch land is assessed at 75% of actual value based on agricultural income capability — significantly below market value in most areas.
• State Income Tax: Nebraska has a progressive income tax (top rate 5.84%). Farm income is subject to state tax. Federal deductions (depreciation, Section 179) carry through.
• Personal Property Tax Exemption: Beginning in 2024, Nebraska began exempting personal property (including farm equipment and livestock) from property tax, phased in over several years. Confirm current status with your county assessor.
• Sales Tax Exemptions: Farm machinery, equipment, and agricultural inputs used in commercial agriculture are generally exempt from Nebraska sales tax.
• Beginning Farmer Tax Credit: Nebraska offers a tax credit program that incentivizes landowners to rent to beginning farmers and ranchers. Both the asset owner and beginning farmer can receive credits.

Resources

USDA Offices

• Nebraska NRCS State Office: 100 Centennial Mall North, Room 152, Lincoln, NE 68508 · (402) 437-5300
• Nebraska FSA State Office: 7131 A Street, Lincoln, NE 68510 · (402) 437-5581
• Find your local USDA Service Center: farmers.gov/service-locator

State Resources

• UNL Extension: extension.unl.edu — University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension
• Nebraska Cattlemen: nebraskacattlemen.org
• Nebraska Farm Bureau: nefb.org
• Nebraska Association of Resources Districts: nrdnet.org

Key Deadlines (FY2026)

Dates are approximate and subject to change. Always confirm with your local NRCS/FSA office.

Your Next Steps in Nebraska

1. Run our eligibility screener to see your personalized program list: /screener
2. Find your local USDA Service Center: farmers.gov/service-locator
3. Read the federal program guides for programs you're interested in: EQIP · CSP · Beginning Farmer · Disaster Assistance
4. Contact your NRD — Nebraska's NRDs often have cost-share that stacks with EQIP
5. Ask about the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit if you're renting land to a new producer or are a beginning producer yourself

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