New funding for Kansas growers in two counties

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced financial assistance available to growers in Greeley and Wichita counties, Kansas, to improve irrigation efficiency. The funding is part of the Groundwater Recharge and Sustainability Project (GRASP) funded by NRCS and will fall under the ACT NOW funding process. 

The USDA program, funded through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), helps growers implement conservation practices that can reduce water use and increase water-use efficiencies by restoring playas to recharge groundwater aquifers.  

The application process is open year-round, but those who follow the ACT NOW funding process can have applications preapproved, making the process faster for participating growers.  

“This will enable interested and qualified applicants to begin implementing the needed conservation practices sooner and reduce the wait time,” said Chad Volkman, Acting State Conservationist for Kansas, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), in the press release. 

The application deadline for fiscal year 2026 is July 2, 2026.