The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering $35 million in feral swine eradication funding to support partnerships that address the threat invasive pigs pose to agriculture, natural landscapes, and human and livestock health across multiple states, including Hawai‘i.
This round is part of a broader $105 million investment through the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program, a joint effort of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to target feral swine impacts.
“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,” Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Colton Buckley said, noting these invasive animals cause more than $3.4 billion in damage annually, including to agricultural landscapes.
Feral swine eradication funding available in 15 states
Eligible partners are invited to apply for feral swine eradication and control projects in the following states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawai‘i
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
The application deadline is Sept. 21.
Program focus and how it works
Feral swine can severely damage plant and wildlife habitats, degrade soils and water quality, and threaten other natural resources. They also carry diseases that can affect livestock and people.
Selected partners in the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program will deliver assistance to landowners for habitat restoration, on-farm trapping, and related services such as training. Funding for these services will be provided through grant agreements with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. All projects will be coordinated among the selected partner, NRCS, and APHIS.
For full details and to apply, review the notice of funding on Grants.gov.
Related reporting on environmental impacts in Hawaiʻi can be found in Big Island anchialine pools face rising seas, new threats.
