Agricultural News
Environmental Quality Incentives Program Application Deadline - April 17, 2020
Thu, 19 Mar 2020 07:47:37 CDT
There's a very good chance this program could help you. Individuals in Oklahoma who are engaged in livestock, crop or forest production whose land use includes cropland, rangeland, pasture and private non-industrial forestland are eligible to apply for the Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). The deadline for applying in current fiscal year is April 17, 2020.
Those applying for EQIP must: Control or own eligible land; Comply with adjusted gross income limitation (AGI) provisions; Be in compliance with the highly erodible land and wetland conservation requirements and develop an NRCS EQIP plan of operations. It is important to note that starting a practice prior to written contract approval will result in the ineligibility of that practice for EQIP assistance unless a waiver has been approved. Additional restrictions and program requirements may apply.
Oklahoma's state priorities are developed annually from input from local workgroups based on county resource assessments and individual plans to address those local needs. A State Technical Committee comprised of representation from these local work groups, Tribal groups, commodity groups, and conservation partners advise NRCS on the implementation of EQIP.
The following National priorities, consistent with statutory resources concerns that include soil, water, wildlife, air quality, and related natural resource concerns, may be used in determining EQIP priority implementation:
1. Water Quality Improvement
2. Soil Quality Improvement
3. Source Water Depletion
EQIP activities are carried out according to a site-specific conservation plan developed in conjunction with the producer. All conservation practices are installed according to NRCS technical standards. Oklahoma's producers may elect to use an approved technical service provider for technical assistance.
While EQIP applications are accepted on a continuous basis, NRCS establishes application "cut-off" or submission deadline dates for evaluation, ranking and approval of eligible applications. EQIP is open to all eligible agricultural producers and submitted applications may be considered or evaluated in multiple funding pool opportunities.
Those Oklahoma producers applying, are responsible for completing and filing all application and eligibility paperwork as required. If funded, participants are required to sign a contract and agree to implement the planned conservation practices to NRCS standards and specifications as scheduled.
The 2018 Farm Bill provides for voluntary participation, offers incentives, and focuses on equity in accessing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs and services. Oklahoma is committed to reaching out to Historically Underserved individuals and groups. Historically Underserved participants may also receive higher payment rates in addition to being considered in high priority funding pools. The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) includes provisions that address the unique circumstances and concerns of socially disadvantaged, beginning, limited resource, and veteran farmers and ranchers ("historically underserved producers"). Enhancements include increased payment rates and advance payments of up to 50 percent to purchase materials and services needed to implement conservation practices included in their EQIP contract.
Visit the USDA New Farmers website (newfarmers.usda.gov) for tips on getting started.
EQIP is open to all eligible agricultural producers without discrimination or bias.
For Information on Ranking Criteria, Screening, Eligible Practices, and Approved Payment Rates see County, Statewide, and National Initiatives web pages at www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs
To apply for EQIP, producers should contact their local NRCS field office, to be considered in the current application period ending April 17, 2020.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
