USDA / NRCS Agricultural Fencing & Conservation Projects
Put your conservation plan to work.
If you're a Missouri farmer, rancher, or agricultural landowner considering new fencing, rotational grazing, livestock exclusion, or other improvements, financial assistance may be available through USDA conservation programs. KB Pipe Fence & Fabrication works with Missouri landowners to construct agricultural fencing and related improvements — including projects designed to meet USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) specifications.
Whether you're just beginning to explore your options or you already have an approved NRCS project in hand, we're here to help you get the work built right.
Already have an NRCS plan or project specifications?
Contact KB Pipe Fence & Fabrication for an estimate. Have your NRCS plans, job sheets, or specifications available when you reach out, and we'll use them to help evaluate and quote your project.
Request an NRCS Project EstimateCould your farm qualify for NRCS assistance?
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service offers voluntary technical and financial assistance to eligible farmers, ranchers, and landowners who want to address natural-resource concerns on their property. One of the primary programs is the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) — through EQIP, eligible agricultural producers may receive financial assistance to implement approved conservation practices on working agricultural land.
Your property may be worth discussing with NRCS if you want to:
- Divide larger pastures into smaller paddocks for managed or rotational grazing
- Improve how livestock utilize available pasture
- Install cross fencing as part of a grazing system
- Restrict livestock access to streams, waterways, or other sensitive areas
- Improve livestock movement and grazing distribution
- Establish or improve livestock watering systems
- Protect environmentally sensitive areas
- Address erosion, water-quality, or pasture-management concerns
- Implement an NRCS conservation plan that includes agricultural fencing
Not every fencing project qualifies for financial assistance. NRCS determines eligibility and whether fencing or another conservation practice is appropriate for your property.
Learn about Missouri EQIP through USDA-NRCS →What is NRCS fence practice 382?
If you've already spoken with NRCS, you may have heard your project referred to as “Practice 382” or simply “382 Fence” — that's the NRCS conservation practice standard for fencing.
NRCS conservation fencing isn't simply about putting a fence around a property. The fence is used to help accomplish a conservation or agricultural-management objective — for example, controlling livestock movement, improving grazing management, or protecting sensitive areas. Projects receiving NRCS financial assistance must be constructed according to the specifications applicable to the approved project, which is why having a contractor who can work from your NRCS documentation matters. If NRCS has provided you with plans, specifications, or job sheets, send them to us when requesting your estimate.
View the NRCS Fence (382) Conservation Practice Standard →What types of projects may be involved?
Depending on the landowner's operation and NRCS conservation plan, agricultural conservation projects may involve improvements such as permanent agricultural fencing, cross fencing, high-tensile electric fencing, livestock exclusion fencing, gates, and grazing-system infrastructure. Some conservation plans may also incorporate watering systems and other practices alongside fencing. The exact design, materials, location, and specifications are determined by the requirements of the individual conservation project.
How does the NRCS process work?
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Start with your local NRCS office
You don't have to figure out the federal program yourself. Contact your local USDA Service Center and ask to speak with NRCS — they serve every Missouri county and provide technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, and landowners.
Find Your Local USDA Service Center → - 2
Tell NRCS what you want to improve
An NRCS conservation planner can visit your property, discuss your goals, and evaluate resource concerns — dividing a pasture, keeping livestock off a creek, or making better use of available forage. You don't need to know which government “practice” applies; that's part of the planning process.
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Apply for financial assistance
If EQIP or another NRCS program fits, you can apply for financial assistance. You'll generally need to establish or update your farm records with the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Applications are evaluated and ranked, so applying doesn't guarantee funding.
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Get approved before starting the funded work
Don't assume you can build the fence first and get reimbursed later. If you're pursuing NRCS financial assistance, work with your NRCS representative and understand your contract, authorization, specifications, and construction requirements before beginning work intended to receive program payment.
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Call KB Pipe Fence & Fabrication
Once you have your approved project information, contact us. If NRCS has supplied drawings, specifications, practice requirements, or job sheets, have those available — we'll review the project, evaluate the site, and prepare an estimate based on the work required.
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Build to the project specifications
NRCS-funded conservation practices must satisfy the applicable project requirements. We construct your project using the approved specifications provided for the job.
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NRCS verifies the completed practice
NRCS determines whether the conservation practice was completed according to its requirements and handles the financial-assistance portion of your NRCS contract.
Does USDA pay for my fence?
Potentially, as part of an eligible conservation project — but it isn't automatically a “free fence.” NRCS provides financial assistance for selected conservation practices. The amount available varies by practice and is based on established payment rates rather than simply paying whatever a contractor's invoice happens to be. Missouri's NRCS payment schedule is updated each fiscal year and considers factors including current material and labor costs — so your project cost and your NRCS financial-assistance payment may be different amounts. Your local NRCS office can explain the payment rate applicable to your particular conservation contract.
View Missouri NRCS payment schedules →Beginning Farmer, Rancher, or Veteran?
Ask NRCS about advance payments.
Certain historically underserved producers may qualify for higher EQIP payment rates and an advance-payment option. NRCS currently identifies eligible categories including qualifying beginning farmers or ranchers, veteran farmers or ranchers, limited-resource farmers or ranchers, and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers. Under the EQIP advance-payment option, eligible producers can receive at least 50% of the contracted payment for a conservation practice up front to purchase materials or contract services, rather than financing all of those costs themselves until reimbursement. NRCS also states that EQIP participants may have a vendor direct-deposit option, under which NRCS pays a vendor or contractor directly — specific requirements apply, so discuss these options with NRCS before construction.
Learn about the EQIP advance payment option →Interested in pursuing NRCS assistance?
USDA accepts EQIP applications on a continuous, year-round basis, but applications need to meet each funding cycle's cutoff date to be considered for that round. If you have a fencing, grazing, or agricultural improvement project in mind, contact your local NRCS office now rather than waiting until you're ready to build.
Check current USDA program deadlines →Not sure where to start?
You don't need an approved project to call us. If you're considering an agricultural fencing project but haven't contacted NRCS yet, that's okay — KB Pipe Fence & Fabrication can talk with you about the fencing project you're considering. For questions about conservation planning, program eligibility, or financial assistance, your local NRCS office is the place to start. NRCS has offices serving every Missouri county.
Already approved? Let's talk about your project.
If you already have an approved NRCS conservation project involving agricultural fencing, KB Pipe Fence & Fabrication is ready to take a look. When you contact us, having the following available helps us understand the project: your property location, NRCS plans/job sheets, fence specifications, approximate footage, project completion deadline, and NRCS contact information if applicable.
Request an NRCS Project EstimateHave your project documents? Mention it in your message and we'll follow up on how to send them over.
Important program information: KB Pipe Fence & Fabrication is an independent fencing and fabrication contractor and is not affiliated with, employed by, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). USDA-NRCS determines program eligibility, conservation practices, technical requirements, application ranking, funding decisions, payment rates, certification, and payments. Financial assistance is not guaranteed. Landowners participating in a USDA program should obtain all necessary approvals and project requirements from NRCS before authorizing work intended to qualify for program financial assistance.