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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Delaware is advising farmers interested in conservation assistance on their farming operations to sign up for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
This program provides financial and technical assistance to farmers interested in making voluntary improvements to natural resources on land they own or manage.
“NRCS [Natural Resources Conservation Service] is currently crafting the 2008 Farm Bill to make our conservation programs and services, including EQIP [Environmental Quality Incentives Program], easier for our farmers and landowners nationwide,” said Russell Morgan, NRCS state conservationist. “As we move forward to implement the new farm bill, we will ensure our conservation practices benefit both the producer’s bottom line and the quality of air, water and soil for all.”
Under the new farm bill, EQIP places a priority on water conservation and promotes forest management practices and energy conservation. In addition, limited resource, socially disadvantaged or beginning farmers may receive additional financial assistance — up to 90 percent cost-share. These groups may also be eligible for advance payments to cover installation costs of conservation improvements.
The new EQIP has a section geared toward funding for conservation practices that help producers engaged in, or transitioning to, organic production. It also provides funding for conservation practices that address air quality concerns from agricultural operations using innovative technologies.
Statewide, EQIP practices include, but are not limited to, grassed waterways, waste storage facilities, nutrient management, pest management, pasture management, tree planting, tree thinning, poultry windbreaks, strip-cropping, conservation tillage and wildlife habitat management.
NRCS accepts applications for EQIP year-round. Funding decisions, however, are made at cutoff points during the year. This year’s deadline is Oct. 3. Applications that address local conservation priorities are evaluated and ranked for funding. The number of applications approved for funding will be based on ranking and available funding.
Interested parties should contact their local U.S. Department of Agriculture NRCS Service Center to apply.
For more information about EQIP, visit the Delaware NRCS website at www.de.nrcs.usda.gov. Local contact information is also located in the telephone book under the federal government listing.
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