F24AS00298 Cooperative Agriculture
This program uses cooperative agreements for agriculture on National Wildlife Refuges to support wildlife conservation through habitat management and food production, without providing federal funds.
Funder: Fish and Wildlife Service
Due Dates: March 7, 2029 (Applications due)
Funding Amounts: No federal funds awarded; agreements are nonfinancial and based on in-kind or cost-sharing arrangements.
Summary: Supports cooperative agriculture on National Wildlife Refuge System lands to achieve wildlife conservation and habitat management objectives through formal agreements, not direct funding.
Key Information: This is a nonfinancial assistance program—no federal funds are provided; agreements are for access and in-kind exchange only.
Description
This opportunity enables individuals and small businesses to enter into Cooperative Agriculture Agreements (CAAs) with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to conduct agricultural activities on National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) lands. The primary goals are to support wildlife conservation, produce food for target species, and maintain or restore natural habitats. These agreements are not financial awards; instead, they formalize arrangements where the cooperator may receive access to land, a share of crop yield, or use of Service resources in exchange for providing labor, equipment, materials, or habitat management services.
CAAs are designed to be mutually beneficial, advancing the Service’s conservation objectives while allowing cooperators to engage in agricultural practices under Service oversight. Agreements typically last up to five years and require substantial involvement and ongoing collaboration with FWS staff.
