2026 Grown Climate Smart Applications Program Update:

Due to USDA changes to the Advancing Markets for Producers structure, the enrollment process will require an approved NRCS CPA 52 (Environmental Evaluation) prior to Grown Climate Smart program enrollment. Because of this:

• There will be no Grown Climate Smart program for the calendar year of 2025 due to the increased paperwork and processing required by the Environmental Evaluation process.
• Applications for the 2026 program opened Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at 8:00 AM CT to accommodate the Environmental Evaluation timeline (including the CPA-52). The 2026 practice-incentive budget is fully subscribed. New applications are being accepted on a waitlist basis for practices planned in the 2026 calendar year.
• A submitted application is not guaranteed payment until the land and practices are approved through the Environmental Evaluation process.

  • This is determined by the NRCS at a state-level and is not decided by The DeLong Company.
  • Practices completed prior to a completed evaluation are INELIGIBLE FOR PAYMENT. If a producer wishes to receive funding for a practice, they must wait for confirmation from the Grown Climate Smart team.