Conservation incentive contract applications due Feb. 11
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service recently announced a new, expanded opportunity for climate-smart agriculture in 2022.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program conservation incentive contracts offer producers financial assistance to make conservation improvements on their land that benefit natural resources, build resiliency and contribute to the nation’s broader effort to combat the impacts of climate change.
“Climate change is happening, and America’s agricultural communities are on the front lines,” said Kasey Taylor, NRCS state conservationist. “We have to continue to support and expand the adoption of conservation approaches to support producers in their work to address the climate crisis and build more resilient operations. We are continuously working to improve our programs to ensure we’re giving Delaware farmers the best tools to conserve natural resources.”
EQIP conservation incentive contracts address priority resource concerns, including sequestering carbon and improving soil health throughout Delaware. Through these contracts, NRCS works with producers to strengthen the quality and condition of natural resources on their operations using management practices such as irrigation water management, drainage water management, nutrient management, and residue and tillage management that target resource concerns, including degraded soil and water quality, available water and soil erosion.
Conservation incentive contracts offer producers annual incentive payments to implement management practices as well as conservation evaluation and monitoring activities to help manage, maintain and improve priority natural resource concerns and build on existing conservation efforts. For a list of practices and to apply, go to nrcs.usda.gov and search Environmental Quality Incentives Program, or call the USDA Service Center in Sussex County at 302-856-3990, Ext. 3.
NRCS accepts applications for conservation programs year-round, but producers and landowners should apply by state-specific signup dates to be considered for each year’s funding.
In Delaware, Friday, Feb. 11, is the next application ranking date for EQIP conservation incentive contracts.
