State Conservationist Dr. William Puckett with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced June 19, 2009, as the cutoff date for an additional signup for the new Precision Farming Incentive under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Applying for EQIP is continuous; however, selecting applications for funding is completed periodically through batching periods with specific cutoff dates.
EWP Funding Requested in NRCS Budget
USDA’s Emergency Watershed Protection Program was among the list of projects presented to a house sub committee for consideration for funding of fiscal year 2010.
FL NRCS Organic Deadline Approaching
Florida Natural Resources Conservation Service extended sign up for the new Organic Initiative is coming up on June 12, 2009. The 2009 Organic Initiative is a nationwide special initiative to provide financial assistance to National Organic Program (NOP) certified organic producers as well as producers in the process of transitioning to organic production.
AL Watershed Projects Receive Funding
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that USDA will provide nearly $42.3 million in additional funding to 14 states to improve water quality, increase water supply, decrease soil erosion, and improve fish and wildlife habitat while creating jobs in rural communities as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
AL Organic Deadline Reminder
The extended deadline for Alabama farmers who are transitioning to organic agriculture, or who are currently certified organic, is June 5th.
Poarch Creek Tribe Pleased with NRCS Services
Alabama Natural Resources Conservation Service has been reaching out to the tribal community by working with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians through various conservation programs and Tribal Chairman Buford Rolin says its been a rewarding experience.
AL NRCS Hoping to Soon Implement Programs
With the fact the 2008 farm bill was late in coming, the work of actually getting programs implemented was delayed, but Dr. Bill Puckett, State Conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama, said they hope to get their programs going soon.
Liaisons Used to Cultivate Tribal Relationships
The Natural Resources Conservation Service has been making an effort to reach out to Tribes in order to educate them regarding opportunities through various NRCS programs. Leonard Jordan Acting Regional Assistant Chief for the East says that the process has been successful.
Tribal Initiative
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service recently held a meeting regarding their ongoing Tribal Initiative which Leonard Jordan, Acting Regional Assistant Chief for the East, says has been very successful.
Organic Initiative Signup Extended
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has extended the application period for the new Organic Initiative. The 2009 Organic Initiative is a nationwide special initiative to provide financial assistance to National Organic Program (NOP) certified organic producers as well as producers in the process of transitioning to organic production. Alabama: Florida: