Apply for USDA natural resources aid by Nov. 17

Agricultural landowners face a closing window to receive financial and technical aid to help protect natural resources.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has noted that applications for assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program will close Nov. 17, to receive funding for fiscal year 2018. Read the full release:

Sept. 20, 2017

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida farmers, ranchers and forest owners can apply until Nov. 17 for financial and technical assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for fiscal year 2018 funding. Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis for all programs, funding selections are typically made once a year.

Through EQIP, agricultural landowners may receive financial and technical assistance to improve soil, water, air, plants, animals and related resources. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, private non-industrial forestland and other farm or ranch lands. The application deadline also applies to the following EQIP-funded initiatives:

  • Organic Producer Initiative
  • Seasonal High Tunnels
  • Energy Initiative
  • Pollinator Initiative
  • Everglades Initiative
  • Longleaf Pine Initiative
  • National Water Quality Initiative
  • Working Lands for Wildlife
  • Gulf of Mexico Initiative

Begin by visiting your local NRCS field office and requesting help developing a conservation plan. To learn about technical and financial assistance available from NRCS, go to Getting Started with NRCS.

The Soil and Water Conservation District’s Manasota Service Center serves Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte Counties. District Conservationist Israel Vega-Marrero may be reached by email to Israel.Vega-Marrero@fl.usda.gov or by calling 941-907-0011 (ext. 3143).

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Posted: September 29, 2017


Category: Agriculture, Conservation, Natural Resources, Work & Life
Tags: Agriculture, Environment, Environmental, Eqip, Natural Resources, NRCS, Pgm_Ag, Pgm_SWCD, USDA


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