Boost efforts in conservation by applying for EQIP funding
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Ohio Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications from agricultural producers and landowners interested in voluntary conservation efforts through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Applications for EQIP are taken on a continuous basis; however, interested landowners are encouraged to contact their local NRCS service center prior to the Nov. 14 sign-up deadline to be considered for funding in the current cycle.
Through EQIP, NRCS provides financial and technical resources to producers and landowners to improve their operations, commodity production and environmental benefits. Financial assistance is now available through the following categories:
—General:Conservation opportunities exist in cropland, forestry, pasture operations, seasonal high tunnels, socially disadvantaged producers, conservation activity plans, on-farm energy and organic or those transitioning to organic.
—Cropland: Common practices for managing cropland include cover crops and crop rotation to reduce soil erosion and nutrient management to reduce fertilizer and manure losses. A variety of other practices exist to address other circumstances in cropland.
—Forestry: forest practices often include removing invasive plants and improving timber stands. Additionally, many forestry practices also exist to help create and manage quality wildlife habitat in woodlands.
—Pasture: Good pasture management typically revolves around providing adequate water and fencing to allow for a managed grazing system where livestock are moved regularly between multiple pastures. Other pasture practices exist to manage winter feeding operations such as constructing manure storage, winter feeding pads, access roads and roofs.
—Conservation Planning Activity: Planning activities include developing forest-management plans, creating nutrient-management plans and writing farm energy plans. These projects provide financial assistance to help cover the cost of hiring a qualified professional to develop specific recommendations for your property.
Special projects also are available to address water quality, forestry management, improving pollinator populations and wildlife habitat, pasture improvements and more.
—Working Lands for Wildlife:Create habitat to improve and protect wildlife habitat on working landscapes. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to plan and implement conservation practices that benefit target species and priority landscapes. Conservation practices such as upland wildlife habitat management, conservation cover and brush management will create, restore, maintain or enhance wildlife habitat.
—Urban Agriculture: As American agriculture continues to grow in new directions, NRCS conservation assistance is growing along with it. Urban agriculture provides jobs, improves access to fresh food and offers environmental benefits. Ohio NRCS is focused on supporting urban farmers in their efforts to achieve local, healthy, sustainable food for their communities. This year funding will be available statewide.
Historically underserved producers are eligible for advance payments for all EQIP practices. This option provides historically underserved producers with funding up-front for at least 50% of the payment rate for each practice. Historically underserved producers include producers who are beginning, socially disadvantaged, veteran or limited resource.
To apply for EQIP, contact NRCS at your local USDA Service Center. In Holmes County, you can call district conservationist Josh Britton at 330-600-3103 or email joshua.britton@usda.gov.
Visit the Ohio NRCS website under EQIP Funding Categories for more details. Applications received after the ranking date will be considered during the next funding cycle. Funding is provided through a competitive process. To learn more about EQIP or other technical and financial assistance available through NRCS conservation programs, visit Get Started with NRCS or contact your local USDA Service Center.
Josh Britton is a district conservationist of USDA-NRCS in Holmes County.