State Cost Share Program Changes

The Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Conservation works to protect and enhance Kansas’ natural resources through the development of programs designed to assist local conservation district boards and individuals in conserving the state’s renewable resources. Currently the DOC is updating the Water Resources and Non-Point Source State Cost Share FY2024 programs to reflect recent fluctuations in inflation and contractor availability as well as changes in agricultural practices.  

As administrator of state cost-share programs, the DOC encourages all districts to prioritize and target financial assistance to the practice or area that provides the highest water quality and/or water conservation benefit. The goal of cost-share administration is the effective and efficient expenditure of limited funds to improve and protect Kansas’ water resources.  


The State Cost-Share program relies on the agricultural expertise of farmers and ranchers to identify natural resource concerns, including both water and soil, in their counties. Once a landowner or producer has identified a concern(s), they may reach out to local conservation district for a State Cost-Share application. The sign-up period varies around the state by districts. The State Cost-Share contract is between the State of Kansas and the landowner, with a few exceptions such as cover crops, grid sampling, etc. Local Conservation District Managers can provide information on the local program in each district.  

Cost-Share Process

  1. Application is completed.
  2. Farmer or rancher meets with staff at the local Natural Resources Conservation Service to complete a conservation plan to address the resource concern. 
  3. The NRCS staff will review options available to address the resource concern with the landowner. 
  4. After the landowner decides which option is best for them, the State Cost-Share application is completed.  

All completed State Cost-Share applications are ranked in each district based on the priorities determined by the local conservation district board of supervisors at the beginning of each fiscal year. Priorities may include the quality or quantity of water available to local cities or towns, sedimentation of soil in streams and rivers, soil health nutrients, soil erosion, or any other identifiable natural resource concern. 



State Cost Share contracts are awarded from the highest-ranking resource concern to the lowest (by district) until the funds allocated to the district by the state are depleted. Projects may not begin until after notification of the contract acceptance by the Division of Conservation and the local conservation district, which will be after July 1 of the current year. Funding for the State Cost-Share program is provided by the Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Conservation through appropriation from the State Water Plan Fund. 


Contact your local district conservation office to apply for an approved practice. 

Kansas Association of Conservation District | kacdnet.org

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