NRCS Programs Available for Perennial Grains – Conservation Crop Rotation 328
The Conservation Crop Rotation Practice 328 is available to new Kernza acres through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s EQIP and CSP programs. The practice provides a payment to the producer for the time needed to plan and implement changes to crop rotations that effectively add a perennial grain to their cropping system.
The Conservation Crop Rotation Practice 328 is available for perennial grains in almost every state under CSP, and available in Minnesota and Michigan through EQIP to address specific, targeted natural resource concerns, typically on a shorter-term basis than CSP. Unlike CSP, the EQIP program is not a whole farm program. However, the application process and requirements are similar to CSP, and there is a ranking deadline by which applications must be submitted within the current funding cycle. NRCS can accept applications throughout the year. Under Conservation Crop Rotation Practice 328, both EQIP and CSP include a small grain and a short-term perennial payment scenario.
The payment scenario includes the establishment year as a program year. Whether planted in spring or early fall, the establishment year will count as the first crop year, with additional years of productivity expected under the contract. Short-term perennial legumes, grasses, and small grains are commonly grown for two to five years, and the practice can be paid for a total of 5 years.
The NRCS offers technical assistance for program applications at no cost. The NRCS Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) offers personalized advice and information that is tailored to each operation to plan, design, and implement conservation practices, based on staff availability.
Per NRCS, the practice payment is provided to the producer for the time needed to plan and implement the logistics of changing the rotation to effectively implement a conservation crop rotation on a cropland farm by adding a perennial grain to their cropping system. The CSP and EQIP programs pay for the practice adoption at different rates. Payments vary by whether a practice is stand-alone, part of a bundle, or a supplemental practice for CSP. EQIP payment schedules for Minnesota and MIchigan are specific to each state, but in general, EQIP payment rates will be ≤75% of the new practice adoption.
*Previously planted Kernza will not qualify for the program, but new Kernza acres, even on the same farm, may be eligible. Ask your local NRCS office!
Current Kernza acres are not eligible for this program. If you are considering planting new Kernza acres, please contact your local NRCS office at least a year before you plan to plant!
See below for additional resources:
Application Timeline – 2026-2027 and Year 1-Year 2
CSP & EQIP Program Deadlines
NRCS Fact Sheet on Conservation Crop Rotation
NRCS Description of 328 Practice Code
EQIP Overview for Minnesota and Michigan
A Step by Step Guide to USDA Farm Program Enrollment & Incentives for Kernza
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- Step by Step Guide: Learn how to certify your Kernza acres with FSA and enroll your existing Kernza acres to be eligible for NAP risk management. This guide also covers how to apply for NRCS programs to support future Kernza plantings.