Agricultural News
NRCS in Oklahoma Accepting Applications from Producers and Landowners for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Fri, 03 Dec 2021 08:23:04 CST
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 the current fiscal year is January 07, 2022.
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. The USDA 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 resource 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 must be 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.
Visit the USDA New Farmers website 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 January 07, 2022.
All USDA Service Centers are open for business, including some that are open to visitors to conduct business in person by appointment only. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), or any other Service Center agency should call ahead and schedule an appointment. Service Centers that are open for appointments will pre-screen visitors based on health concerns or recent travel and visitors must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Visitors may also be required to wear a face covering during their appointment. Field work will continue with appropriate social distancing. Our program delivery staff will be in the office, and they will be working with our producers in office, by phone, and using online tools.
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