USDA to provide $35 million for feral swine eradication program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making available $35 million for partnerships to respond to the threat feral swine pose to American agriculture, landscapes and human and livestock health. This partnership opportunity is part of a broader $105 million investment for the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program, where USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) are working together to target feral swine.

“We are collaborating with our partners at USDA and across the country to help combat feral swine and keep our farms, ranches and landscapes safe,” said NRCS Chief Colton L. Buckley. “These invasive species cause more than $3.4 billion in damage each year, including damage to agricultural landscapes.”

The program has been continued for another five years with the $105 million total investment split between NRCS and APHIS, including the $35 million made available through this announcement.

Partners are invited to apply for feral swine eradication and control projects in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.

Feral swine have significant negative impacts on plant and wildlife habitats, soils, water quality, as well as other natural resources. Livestock and humans are also susceptible to diseases carried by feral swine.

Partners selected to participate in the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program will provide landowner assistance for restoration and on-farm trapping efforts and provide related services, like training. Funding for these services will be provided through grant agreements between partners and NRCS.

All projects will be a collaborative and coordinated effort among the selected partner, NRCS, and APHIS.

Applications will be accepted until September 21. For more information about this funding opportunity and to apply, visit the notice of funding on Grants.gov.

From 2020 through 2024, NRCS invested $41 million in 34 projects across 12 states. During that time, Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program projects provided assistance to more than 6,700 landowners on almost 9 million acres to help reduce feral swine damage. More than 800 events related to teaching trapping techniques to landowners were conducted.