Dept. Of Agriculture Starts Accepting Resource Enhancement Farm Conservation Tax Credit Applications Aug. 7

The Department of Agriculture will begin accepting applications for the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) farm conservation tax credits on August 7.

REAP is a first-come, first-served program that enables farmers, businesses, and landowners to earn PA income tax credits to offset the cost of implementing conservation practices. 

Tax credits provided by the REAP program helps farmers off-set the costs of implementing best management practices (BMPs) that benefit their farms and work to protect water quality at the same time.

REAP provides tax credits at levels of 50%, 75%, or 90% of costs incurred in the implementation of BMPs that reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution.

Projects eligible for 50% reimbursement: no-till planting equipment; precision nutrient application equipment; manure storage structures; cover crops; grazing practices; forested riparian buffers; others

Projects eligible for 75% reimbursement: BMPs that reduce pollution runoff from animal concentration areas; Nutrient/Manure Management Plans; Conservation/Ag E&S Plans; others

Projects eligible for 90% reimbursement (In a TMDL designated watershed) - multi-species cover crops; forested riparian buffers (50+ ft wide); livestock exclusion from streams and associated practices; others

New For 2023-24--

-- Increased focus on multi-species cover crops and cover crop equipment; including cover crop drones.

-- Precision nutrient application plans

-- Silvopasture systems

-- No-till and nutrient application equipment upgrade kits

Click Here for all the details.  Questions should be directed to Joel Semke jsemke@pa.gov or 717-705-4032.

[Posted: July 4, 2023]  PA Environment Digest