---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 3844"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "3844"
heading: "Administrative requirements for conservation programs"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/3844"
units:
  - "Chapter 58 — Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation and Reserve Program"
  - "Subchapter V — Funding and Administration"
---

# §3844. Administrative requirements for conservation programs

- (a) **Incentives for certain farmers and ranchers and Indian tribes—**
  - (1) **Incentives authorized—** In carrying out any conservation program administered by the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21), the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) may provide to a [person](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-19) or entity specified in [paragraph (2)](#a-2) incentives to participate in the conservation program—
    - (A) to foster new farming and ranching opportunities; and
    - (B) to enhance long-term environmental goals.
  - (2) **Covered persons—** Incentives authorized by [paragraph (1)](#a-1) may be provided to the following:
    - (A) Beginning farmers or ranchers.
    - (B) Socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers.
    - (C) Limited resource farmers or ranchers.
    - (D) [Indian tribes](/usc/16/544.md?p=g).
    - (E) Veteran farmers or ranchers (as defined in section 2279(e)[^1] of title 7).
- (b) **Privacy of personal information relating to natural resources conservation programs—**
  - (1) **Information received for technical and financial assistance—**
    - (A) **In general—** In accordance with [section 552(b)(3) of title 5](/usc/5/552.md?p=b-3), except as provided in [subparagraph (C)](#b-1-C) and [paragraph (2)](#b-2), information described in [subparagraph (B)](#b-1-B)—
      - (i) shall not be considered to be public information; and
      - (ii) shall not be released to any [person](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-19) or Federal, [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24), local agency or [Indian tribe](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-14) (as defined by the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21)) outside the Department of Agriculture.
    - (B) **Information—** The information referred to in [subparagraph (A)](#b-1-A) is information—
      - (i) provided to the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) or a contractor of the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) (including information provided under subchapter IV) for the purpose of providing technical or financial assistance to an [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4), operator, or producer with respect to any natural resources conservation program administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service or the Farm Service Agency; and
      - (ii) that is proprietary (within the meaning of [section 552(b)(4) of title 5](/usc/5/552.md?p=b-4)) to the agricultural operation or land that is a part of an agricultural operation of the [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4), operator, or producer.
    - (C) **Exception—** Nothing in this section affects the availability of payment information (including payment amounts and the names and addresses of recipients of payments) under [section 552 of title 5](/usc/5/552.md).
  - (2) **Exceptions—**
    - (A) **Release and disclosure for enforcement—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) may release or disclose to the Attorney General information covered by [paragraph (1)](#b-1) to the extent necessary to enforce the natural resources conservation programs referred to in [paragraph (1)(B)(i)](#b-1-B-i).
    - (B) **Disclosure to cooperating persons and agencies—**
      - (i) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) may release or disclose information covered by [paragraph (1)](#b-1) to a [person](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-19) or Federal, [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24), local, or tribal agency working in cooperation with the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) in providing technical and financial assistance described in [paragraph (1)(B)(i)](#b-1-B-i) or collecting information from data gathering sites.
      - (ii) **Use of information—** The [person](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-19) or Federal, [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24), local, or tribal agency that receives information described in [clause (i)](#b-2-B-i) may release the information only for the purpose of assisting the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21)—
        - (I) in providing the requested technical or financial assistance; or
        - (II) in collecting information from data gathering sites.
    - (C) **Statistical and aggregate information—** Information covered by [paragraph (1)](#b-1) may be disclosed to the public if the information has been transformed into a statistical or aggregate form without naming any—
      - (i) individual [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4), operator, or producer; or
      - (ii) specific data gathering site.
    - (D) **Consent of owner, operator, or producer—**
      - (i) **In general—** An [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4), operator, or producer may consent to the disclosure of information described in [paragraph (1)](#b-1).
      - (ii) **Condition of other programs—** The participation of the [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4), operator, or producer in, and the receipt of any benefit by the [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4), operator, or producer under, this chapter or any other program administered by the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) may not be conditioned on the [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4), operator, or producer providing consent under this paragraph.
  - (3) **Violations; penalties—** [Section 2276(c) of title 7](/usc/7/2276.md?p=c) shall apply with respect to the release of information collected in any manner or for any purpose prohibited by this subsection.
  - (4) **Data collection, disclosure, and review—** Nothing in this subsection—
    - (A) affects any procedure for data collection or disclosure through the National Resources Inventory; or
    - (B) limits the authority of Congress or the Government Accountability Office to review information collected or disclosed under this subsection.
- (c) **Plans—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall, to the extent practicable, avoid duplication in—
  - (1) the [conservation plans](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-3) required for—
    - (A) [highly erodible land](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-11-A) conservation under subchapter II; and
    - (B) the conservation reserve program established under subpart B of part I of subchapter IV;
  - (2) the agricultural conservation easement program established under subchapter VII; and
  - (3) the environmental quality incentives program established under subpart A of part IV of subchapter IV.
- (d) **Tenant protection—** Except for a [person](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-19) who is a tenant on land that is subject to a conservation reserve contract that has been extended by the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21), the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall provide adequate safeguards to protect the interests of tenants and sharecroppers, including provision for sharing, on a fair and equitable basis, in payments under the programs established under subchapters II through IV, VII, and VIII.
- (e) **Provision of technical assistance by other sources—** In the preparation and application of a conservation compliance plan under subchapter II or similar plan required as a condition for assistance from the Department of Agriculture, the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall permit [persons](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-19) to secure [technical assistance](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-25) from approved sources, as determined by the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21), other than the Natural Resources Conservation Service. If the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) rejects a technical determination made by such a source, the basis of the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21)’s determination must be supported by documented evidence.
- (f) **Acreage limitations—**
  - (1) **Limitations—**
    - (A) **Enrollments—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall not enroll more than 25 percent of the cropland in any county in the conservation reserve program established under subpart B of part I of subchapter IV and [wetland](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-27) reserve easements under [section 3865c of this title](/usc/16/3865c.md).
    - (B) **Easements—** Not more than 15 percent of the cropland in a county may be subject to a [wetland](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-27) reserve easement under [section 3865c of this title](/usc/16/3865c.md).
  - (2) **Exceptions—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) may exceed the limitation in [paragraph (1)(A)](#f-1-A), if the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) determines that—
    - (A) the action would not adversely affect the local economy of a county; and
    - (B) operators in the county are having difficulties complying with [conservation plans](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-3) implemented under [section 3812 of this title](/usc/16/3812.md).
  - (3) **Waiver to exclude certain acreage—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) may grant a waiver to exclude acreage enrolled under [section 3831a of this title](/usc/16/3831a.md) from the limitations in [paragraph (1)(A)](#f-1-A) with the concurrence of the county government of the county involved.
  - (4) **Exclusions—**
    - (A) **Shelterbelts and windbreaks—** The limitations established under [paragraph (1)](#f-1) shall not apply to cropland that is subject to an easement under subpart B of part I of subchapter IV that is used for the establishment of [shelterbelts](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-22) and windbreaks.
    - (B) **Wet and saturated soils—** For the purposes of enrolling land in a [wetland](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-27) reserve easement under [section 3865c of this title](/usc/16/3865c.md), the limitations established under [paragraph (1)](#f-1) shall not apply to cropland designated by the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) with subclass w in the land capability classes IV through VIII because of severe use limitations due to soil saturation or inundation.
  - (5) **Calculation—** In calculating the percentages described in [paragraph (1)](#f-1), the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall include any acreage that was included in calculations of percentages made under such paragraph, as in effect on the day before December 20, 2018, and that remains enrolled when the calculation is made after that date under [paragraph (1)](#f-1).
- (g) **Compliance and performance—** For each conservation program under subchapter IV, the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall develop procedures—
  - (1) to monitor compliance with program requirements;
  - (2) to measure program performance;
  - (3) to demonstrate whether the long-term conservation benefits of the program are being achieved;
  - (4) to track participation by crop and [livestock](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-17) types; and
  - (5) to coordinate activities described in this subsection with the national conservation program authorized under [section 2004 of this title](/usc/16/2004.md).
- (h) **Encouragement of pollinator habitat development and protection—** In carrying out any conservation program administered by the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21), the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) may, as appropriate, encourage—
  - (1) the development of habitat for [native](/usc/16/3102.md?p=16) and managed pollinators; and
  - (2) the use of conservation practices that benefit [native](/usc/16/3102.md?p=16) and managed pollinators, including, to the extent practicable, practices that maximize benefits for honey bees.
- (i) **Streamlined application process—**
  - (1) **In general—** In carrying out each conservation program under this chapter, the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall ensure that the application process used by producers and landowners is streamlined to minimize complexity and eliminate redundancy.
  - (2) **Review and streamlining—**
    - (A) **Review—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall carry out a review of the application forms and processes for each conservation program covered by this subsection.
    - (B) **Streamlining—** On completion of the review the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall revise application forms and processes, as necessary, to ensure that—
      - (i) all required application information is essential for the efficient, effective, and accountable implementation of conservation programs;
      - (ii) conservation program applicants are not required to provide information that is readily available to the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) through existing information systems of the Department of Agriculture;
      - (iii) information provided by the applicant is managed and delivered efficiently for use in all stages of the application process, or for multiple applications; and
      - (iv) information technology is used effectively to minimize data and information input requirements.
  - (3) **Implementation and notification—** Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall submit to Congress a written notification of completion of the requirements of this subsection.
- (j) **Review and guidance for practice costs and payment rates—**
  - (1) **In general—** Not later than 1 year after December 20, 2018, and not later than October 1 of each year thereafter, the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall—
    - (A) review the estimates for practice costs and rates of payments made to producers for practices on eligible land under this chapter; and
    - (B) evaluate whether those costs and rates reflect a payment that—
      - (i) encourages participation in a conservation program administered by the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21);
      - (ii) encourages implementation of the most effective practices to address local natural resource concerns on eligible land; and
      - (iii) accounts for regional, [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24), and local variability relating to the complexity, implementation, and adoption of practices on eligible land.
  - (2) **Guidance; review—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall—
    - (A) issue guidance to [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) to annually review and adjust the estimates for practice costs and rates of payments made to producers to reflect the evaluation factors described in [paragraph (1)(B)](#j-1-B); and
    - (B) determine the appropriate practice costs and rates of payments for each [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24) by—
      - (i) annually reviewing each conservation program payment schedule and payment rate used in the [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24); and
      - (ii) consulting with the [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24) technical committee established under [section 3861(a) of this title](/usc/16/3861.md?p=a) in that [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24).
- (k) **Improved administrative efficiency and effectiveness—** In administrating a conservation program under this chapter, the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall, to the maximum extent practicable—
  - (1) seek to reduce administrative burdens and costs to producers by streamlining conservation planning and program resources; and
  - (2) [take](/usc/16/3102.md?p=18) advantage of new technologies to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
- (l) **Relation to other payments—** Any payment received by an [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) or operator under this chapter, including an easement payment or [rental payment](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-20), shall be in [addition](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2) to, and not affect, the total amount of payments that the [owner](/usc/16/429b–3.md?p=4) or operator is otherwise eligible to receive under any of the following:
  - (1) This Act.
  - (2) The Agricultural Act of 1949 ([7 U.S.C. 1421](/usc/7/1421.md) et seq.).
  - (3) The Agricultural Act of 2014.
  - (4) Any law that succeeds a law specified in paragraph [(1)](#l-1), [(2)](#l-2), or [(3)](#l-3).
- (m) **Funding for Indian tribes—** In carrying out the conservation stewardship program under subpart B of part IV of subchapter IV and the environmental quality incentives program under subpart A of part IV of subchapter IV, the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall enter into alternative funding arrangements with [Indian tribes](/usc/16/544.md?p=g) if the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) determines that—
  - (1) the goals and objectives of the programs will be met by such arrangements;
  - (2) a sufficient number of eligible participants will be aggregated under the alternative funding arrangement to accomplish the underlying purposes and objectives of the applicable program; and
  - (3) statutory limitations regarding contracts with individual producers will not be exceeded by any tribal member, except that the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) may approve a waiver if the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) is authorized to approve a waiver under the statutory authority of the applicable program.
- (n) **Source water protection through targeting of agricultural practices—**
  - (1) **In general—** In carrying out any conservation program administered by the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21), the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall encourage practices that relate to water quality and water quantity that protect source water for drinking water (including protecting against public health threats) while also benefitting agricultural producers.
  - (2) **Collaboration with water systems and increased incentives—**
    - (A) **In general—** In encouraging practices under [paragraph (1)](#n-1), the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall—
      - (i) work collaboratively with community water systems and [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24) technical committees established under [section 3861(a) of this title](/usc/16/3861.md?p=a) to identify, in each [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24), local priority [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) for the protection of source waters for drinking water; and
      - (ii) subject to [subparagraph (B)](#n-2-B), for practices described in [paragraph (1)](#n-1), offer to producers increased incentives and higher payment rates than are otherwise statutorily authorized by the applicable conservation program administered by the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21).
    - (B) **Limitation—** An increased payment under [subparagraph (A)(ii)](#n-2-A-ii) shall not exceed 90 percent of practice costs associated with planning, design, materials, equipment, installation, labor, management, maintenance, or training.
  - (3) **Reservation of funds—**
    - (A) **In general—** In each of fiscal years 2019 through 2031, the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall use to carry out this subsection not less than 10 percent of any funds available for conservation programs administered by the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) under this chapter (other than the conservation reserve program established under subpart B of part I of subchapter IV).
    - (B) **Limitation—** Funds available for a specific conservation program shall not be transferred to fund a different conservation program under this chapter.
- (o) **Environmental services market—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) may not prohibit, through a contract, easement, or agreement under this chapter, a participant in a conservation program administered by the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) under this chapter from participating in, and receiving compensation from, an environmental services market if 1 of the purposes of the market is the facilitation of additional conservation benefits that are consistent with the purposes of the conservation program administered by the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21).
- (p) **Regulatory certainty—**
  - (1) **In general—** In [addition](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2) to technical and programmatic information that the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) is otherwise authorized to provide, on request of a Federal agency, a [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24), an [Indian tribe](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-14), or a [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of local government, the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) may provide technical and programmatic information—
    - (A) subject to [paragraph (2)](#p-2), to the Federal agency, [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24), [Indian tribe](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-14), or [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of local government to support specifically the development of mechanisms that would provide regulatory certainty, regulatory predictability, safe harbor protection, or other similar regulatory assurances to a farmer, rancher, or private nonindustrial forest landowner under a regulatory requirement—
      - (i) that relates to soil, water, or wildlife; and
      - (ii) over which that Federal agency, [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24), [Indian tribe](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-14), or [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of local government has authority; and
    - (B) relating to conservation practices or activities that could be implemented by a farmer, rancher, or private nonindustrial forest landowner to address a targeted soil, water, or wildlife resource concern that is the direct subject of a regulatory requirement enforced by that Federal agency, [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24), [Indian tribe](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-14), or [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of local government, as applicable.
  - (2) **Mechanisms—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall only provide additional technical and programmatic information under [paragraph (1)](#p-1) if the mechanisms to be developed by the Federal agency, [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24), [Indian tribe](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-14), or [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of local government, as applicable, under [paragraph (1)(A)](#p-1-A) are anticipated to include, at a minimum—
    - (A) the implementation of 1 or more conservation practices or activities that effectively addresses the soil, water, or wildlife resource concern identified under [paragraph (1)](#p-1);
    - (B) the on-site confirmation that the applicable conservation practices or activities identified under [subparagraph (A)](#p-2-A) have been implemented;
    - (C) a plan for a periodic audit, as appropriate, of the continued implementation or maintenance of each of the conservation practices or activities identified under [subparagraph (A)](#p-2-A); and
    - (D) notification to a farmer, rancher, or private nonindustrial forest landowner of, and an opportunity to correct, any noncompliance with a requirement to obtain regulatory certainty, regulatory predictability, safe harbor protection, or other similar regulatory assurance.
  - (3) **Continuing current collaboration on soil, water, or wildlife conservation practices—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) shall—
    - (A) continue collaboration with Federal agencies, [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r), [Indian tribes](/usc/16/544.md?p=g), or local [units](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of government on existing regulatory certainty, regulatory predictability, safe harbor protection, or other similar regulatory assurances in accordance with [paragraph (2)](#p-2); and
    - (B) continue collaboration with the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21) of the Interior on consultation under [section 1536(a)(2) of this title](/usc/16/1536.md?p=a-2) or conference under [section 1536(a)(4) of this title](/usc/16/1536.md?p=a-4), as applicable, for wildlife conservation efforts, including the Working Lands for Wildlife model of conservation on working landscapes, as implemented on the day before December 20, 2018, in accordance with—
      - (i) the document entitled “Partnership Agreement Between the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and the United States Department of the Interior [Fish and Wildlife](/usc/16/3102.md?p=17) Service”, numbered A–3A75–16–937, and formalized by the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service on September 15, 2016, and by the Director of the United States [Fish and Wildlife](/usc/16/3102.md?p=17) Service on August 4, 2016, as in effect on September 15, 2016; and
      - (ii) United States [Fish and Wildlife](/usc/16/3102.md?p=17) Service Director’s Order No. 217, dated August 9, 2016, as in effect on August 9, 2016.
  - (4) **Savings clause—** Nothing in this subsection—
    - (A) preempts, displaces, or supplants any authority or right of a Federal agency, a [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24), an [Indian tribe](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-14), or a [unit](/usc/16/430f–7.md?p=4) of local government;
    - (B) modifies or otherwise affects, preempts, or displaces—
      - (i) any cause of action; or
      - (ii) a provision of Federal or [State](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-24) law establishing a remedy for a civil or criminal cause of action; or
    - (C) applies to a case in which the Department of Agriculture is the originating agency requesting a consultation or other technical and programmatic information or assistance from another Federal agency in assisting farmers, ranchers, or nonindustrial private forest landowners participating in a conservation program administered by the [Secretary](/usc/16/3801.md?p=a-21).

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, § 1244, as added Pub. L. 107–171, title II, § 2004(a), May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 235; amended Pub. L. 110–234, title II, §§ 2707(a), 2708, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1077, 1079; Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a), title II, §§ 2707(a), 2708, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 1805, 1807; Pub. L. 113–79, title II, §§ 2301(b), 2606, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 743, 760; Pub. L. 115–141, div. A, title VII, § 766, Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 397; Pub. L. 115–334, title II, §§ 2202(b)(2), 2301(d)(1)(K), (L), 2503, 2821(f), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4538, 4554, 4580, 4603; Pub. L. 117–169, title II, § 21001(c)(6), Aug. 16, 2022, 136 Stat. 2017.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Section 2279(e) of title 7, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(E), was redesignated section 2279(a) of title 7 by Pub. L. 115–334, title XII, § 12301(b)(3), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4951.

This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (b)(2)(D)(ii), (i)(1), (j)(1)(A), (k), (l), (n)(3), and (o), was in the original “this title”, meaning title XII of Pub. L. 99–198, which enacted this chapter and former section 2005a of this title and amended sections 590g, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2009 of this title, sections 4207 and 4209 of Title 7, Agriculture, and provisions set out as a note under section 1981 of Title 7.

The date of enactment of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, referred to in subsec. (i)(3), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–246, which was approved June 18, 2008.

This Act, referred to in subsec. (l)(1), is Pub. L. 99–198, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1354, known as the Food Security Act of 1985. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1985 Amendment note set out under section 1281 of Title 7, Agriculture, and Tables.

The Agricultural Act of 1949, referred to in subsec. (l)(2), is act Oct. 31, 1949, ch. 792, 63 Stat. 1051, which is classified principally to chapter 35A (§ 1421 et seq.) of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1421 of Title 7 and Tables.

The Agricultural Act of 2014, referred to in subsec. (l)(3), is Pub. L. 113–79, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 649. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

### Codification

The text of section 3843(a), (c), and (d) of this title, which was transferred to this section and redesignated as subsecs. (c), (d), and (e), respectively, by Pub. L. 110–246, § 2707(a), was based on Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, § 1243(a), (c), (d), as added Pub. L. 104–127, title III, § 341, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1008, 1009.

Pub. L. 110–234 and Pub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 3844, Pub. L. 99–198, title XII, § 1244, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1515, related to issuance of regulations to carry out subchapters I to V of this chapter, prior to the general amendment of this subchapter by Pub. L. 104–127.

### Amendments

2022—Subsec. (n)(3)(A). Pub. L. 117–169 substituted “2031” for “2023”.

2018—Subsec. (b)(4)(B). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2821(f), substituted “Government Accountability Office” for “General Accounting Office”.

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2301(d)(1)(K), inserted “subpart A of” before “part IV”.

Subsec. (f)(1)(B). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2503(a)(1), substituted “15 percent” for “10 percent”.

Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2202(b)(2), substituted “section 3831a” for “subsection (d)(2)(A)(ii) or (g)(2) of section 3834”.

Subsec. (f)(5). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2503(a)(2), substituted “December 20, 2018,” for “February 7, 2014,”.

Subsecs. (j), (k). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2503(b)(2), (3), added subsec. (j) and redesignated former subsec. (j) as (k). Former subsec. (k) redesignated (l).

Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2503(b)(2), redesignated subsec. (k) as (l). Former subsec. (l) redesignated (m).

Pub. L. 115–334, § 2301(d)(1)(L), substituted “subpart B of part IV of subchapter IV” for “subpart B of part II of subchapter IV” and “subpart A of part IV of subchapter IV” for “part IV of subchapter IV”.

Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2503(c), designated existing provisions as introductory provisions and pars. (1) and (3) and added par. (2), substituted “shall” for “may” in introductory provisions and “arrangements;” for “arrangements, and that” in par. (1), and inserted “, except that the Secretary may approve a waiver if the Secretary is authorized to approve a waiver under the statutory authority of the applicable program” before period at end of par. (3).

Pub. L. 115–334, § 2503(b)(2), redesignated subsec. (l) as (m).

Pub. L. 115–334, § 2503(b)(1), struck out subsec. (m) which related to exemption from certain reporting requirements.

Pub. L. 115–141 added subsec. (m).

Subsec. (n). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2503(d), added subsec. (n).

Subsec. (o). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2503(e), added subsec. (o).

Subsec. (p). Pub. L. 115–334, § 2503(f), added subsec. (p).

2014—Subsec. (a)(2)(E). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2606(1), added subpar. (E).

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2301(b)(1)(A), inserted “and” after semicolon in subpar. (A), struck out “and” after semicolon in subpar. (B), and struck out subpar. (C) which read as follows: “the wetlands reserve program established under subpart C of part I of subchapter IV; and”.

Subsec. (c)(2), (3). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2301(b)(1)(B), (C), added par. (2) and redesignated former par. (2) as (3).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2606(2), inserted “, VII, and VIII” before period at end.

Subsec. (f)(1)(A). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2301(b)(2)(A)(i), substituted “conservation reserve program established under subpart B of part I of subchapter IV and wetland reserve easements under section 3865c of this title” for “programs administered under subparts B and C of part I of subchapter IV”.

Subsec. (f)(1)(B). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2606(3)(A), substituted “county” for “country”.

Pub. L. 113–79, § 2301(b)(2)(A)(ii), substituted “a wetland reserve easement under section 3865c of this title” for “an easement acquired under subpart C of part I of subchapter IV”.

Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2606(3)(B), substituted “subsection (d)(2)(A)(ii) or (g)(2)” for “subsection (c)(2)(B) or (f)(4)”.

Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2301(b)(2)(B), added par. (4) and struck out former par. (4). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The limitations established under paragraph (1) shall not apply to cropland that is subject to an easement under subpart C of part I of subchapter IV that is used for the establishment of shelterbelts and windbreaks.”

Subsec. (f)(5). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2301(b)(2)(C), added par. (5).

Subsec. (h)(2). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2606(4), inserted “, including, to the extent practicable, practices that maximize benefits for honey bees” before period at end.

Subsecs. (j) to (l). Pub. L. 113–79, § 2606(5), added subsecs. (j) to (l).

2008—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 110–246, § 2708(1), added subsec. (a) and struck out former subsec. (a). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “In carrying out any conservation program administered by the Secretary, the Secretary may provide to beginning farmers and ranchers and Indian tribes (as those terms are defined in section 3838 of this title) and limited resource agricultural producers incentives to participate in the conservation program to—

“(1) foster new farming and ranching opportunities; and

“(2) enhance environmental stewardship over the long term.”

Subsecs. (c) to (e). Pub. L. 110–246, § 2707(a), transferred subsecs. (a), (c), and (d) of section 3843 of this title and redesignated them as subsecs. (c) to (e), respectively, of this section. See Codification note above.

Subsecs. (f) to (i). Pub. L. 110–246, § 2708(2), added subsecs. (f) to (i).

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of Title 7, Agriculture.