Auburn, Ala, Aug. 18, 2010 – Alabama Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Dr. William Puckett announced October 1, 2010, as the cutoff date for producers to sign up for the following conservation programs: Conservation Stewardship Program; Environmental Quality Incentives Program which includes the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program, organic farming, and high tunnels; the Grassland Reserve Program; Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program; and Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). Applications are accepted on a continuous basis; however, selecting applications for funding is completed periodically through batching periods with specific cutoff dates.
In the CSP, EQIP and WHIP programs, eligible producers may receive a payment based on the statewide average cost of the installation of the conservation practice. Socially disadvantaged, limited resource, and beginning farmers and ranchers are eligible for a higher payment based on the statewide average cost of the installation of the conservation practice. In addition, socially disadvantaged, limited resource, and beginning farmers and ranchers can receive up to 30 percent advanced payment for purchasing materials or contracting. GRP and WRP are conservation easement programs where landowners receive payments for developing and protecting wetlands and grazing lands.
Interested landowners can contact their local NRCS office listed in the telephone book under U.S. Department of Agriculture or online at http://www.al.nrcs.usda.gov/programs. General program information is available on the Alabama NRCS website at www.al.nrcs.usda.gov/programs.
NRCS is a technical agency of the United States Department of Agriculture that works one-on-one with America’s farmers and ranchers, primarily on privately-owned lands, to help them in their efforts to improve and protect the natural resources. NRCS is celebrating 75 years of helping people help the land. Since 1935, the NRCS conservation delivery system has advanced a unique partnership with state and local governments and private landowners delivering conservation based on specific, local conservation needs, while accommodating state and national interests.