Nebraska Ag Connection - Deadline Approaching for NRCS Funds

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Deadline Approaching for NRCS Funds
Nebraska Ag Connection - 09/27/2016

Farmers and ranchers interested in soil, water and wildlife conservation are encouraged to sign up now for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). EQIP is available from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Those interested in receiving finding should sign up before Oct. 21.

EQIP is a voluntary conservation program available to private landowners and operators. Through EQIP, farmers and ranchers receive financial and technical help to install conservation practices on agricultural land.

According to Craig Derickson, NRCS state conservationist, there are several options available to producers through EQIP.

"EQIP is one of our most versatile programs. It offers cost share and technical assistance to apply conservation measures on cropland and rangeland, as well as for animal feeding operations and establishing or enhancing wildlife habitat. There are many opportunities available, and NRCS staff can help landowners and operators identify their EQIP options," Derickson said.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program has become one of the most widely applied conservation programs in Nebraska; enrolling over 296,000 acres in 2016 with over 800,000 acres currently under contract statewide. Since its inception in 1996, EQIP has treated over 6 million acres through 19,907 contracts in Nebraska.

The goal of EQIP is to provide a financial incentive to encourage landowners to install conservation practices that protect natural resources, resulting in cleaner air and water, healthy soil and more wildlife habitat.

Individuals interested in entering into an EQIP agreement may apply at any time, but the ranking of applications on hand to receive funding will begin Oct. 21, 2016. The first step is to visit your local NRCS field office and complete an application.

For more information about the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and other conservation programs, visit your local NRCS field office or www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov.

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