Landowner Funding Programs
Grants & Funding
Financial assistance programs that can offset the cost of land clearing on your property.
Texas A&M Forest Service / USDA Forest Service
Mechanical Fuel Reduction (MFR) Grant
Texas landowners in eligible areas may qualify for reimbursement on mechanical fuel reduction work performed by a hired contractor. This grant is designed to reduce wildfire risk and protect homes across high-priority counties in Texas. The MFR Grant is available to landowners in 39 Central Texas counties.
$750/acre
Hand-cut treatments
$1,500/acre
Combined methods
$2,000/acre
Heavy equipment
$20,000 max
Per landowner cap
How It Works
Work must be completed by a contractor hired by the landowner. A pre-inspection by Texas A&M Forest Service is required before any work begins — only work completed after this inspection is eligible for reimbursement. After work is complete, a post-inspection is conducted and invoices are submitted for reimbursement.
Treatment Requirements
- Treatment areas must be at least 66 feet wide
- All generated debris must be removed or mechanically reduced
- Branches of remaining mature native trees must be limbed or reduced
- Work must pass a post-inspection by Texas A&M Forest Service
How to Apply
Applications are submitted online only through the Texas A&M Forest Service website. Multiple applications may be submitted for separate project areas, but treatment areas may not overlap. Eligible areas may vary annually — check the TFS website for current eligibility maps and application windows.
Apply at Texas A&M Forest ServiceWorking Through This Process?
We work with landowners going through the MFR Grant process. Call us before your pre-inspection and we can walk the property with you and provide a contractor quote.
(512) 641-5658USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service / EQIP
NRCS EQIP — Brush Management (Practice 314)
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a federal cost-share program administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that helps landowners fund conservation practices including brush management and mechanical treatment. Unlike the MFR Grant, EQIP accepts applications year-round — making it a useful option for landowners who miss the MFR application window.
Who It's For
EQIP is available to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners. Eligible practices under Practice Code 314 include mechanical brush treatment, which covers work similar to forestry mulching and cedar clearing. Reimbursement rates vary based on canopy cover and treatment method. Contact your local NRCS office to discuss eligibility and develop a conservation plan.
Learn more at USDA NRCS TexasUSDA / Federal
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
The NRCS is the primary federal agency supporting conservation on private lands. For Texas Hill Country landowners, NRCS offers technical assistance, conservation planning, and access to multiple cost-share programs beyond EQIP — including soil health, water resources, and wildlife habitat programs.
What They Offer
- Free one-on-one conservation planning with a local NRCS agent
- Cost-share funding for a wide range of land management practices
- Guidance on soil health, water conservation, and range management
- Connection to additional federal programs you may qualify for
How to Get Started
Contact your local NRCS service center to schedule a consultation. There is no cost for technical assistance, and a conservation plan can help identify every program your property may qualify for — including EQIP brush management funding covered in the section above.
Visit USDA NRCS TexasReady to walk your land with us?
Schedule a free, no-obligation site visit. We'll read the terrain, identify your Legacy Oaks, and lay out a clearing plan that fits your land — and your funding timeline.