conservation incentive

USDA Sign Up in Georgia Ends Friday

Dan Georgia, USDA-NRCS

usda
Courtesy USDA/NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Georgia wants farmers, ranchers and forestland owners who suffered damage to working lands due to Hurricane Michael, the sign up to seek assistance for USDA program funding ends Friday, April 19.

Through NRCS, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) can help producers address natural resource concerns that can result on their own or after a disaster such as Michael. In this case, EQIP will help producers retrofit their center pivot irrigation systems to be more efficient and replace damaged micro-irrigation systems in orchards. Additionally, EQIP will help non-industrial forestland owners with debris removal, site preparation, tree planting and prescribed burning.

Through FSA, the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) helps farmers and ranchers to repair damage to farmlands caused by natural disasters. In this case, ECP will help producers remove their damaged or destroyed center pivot irrigation systems.

Agricultural producers and non-industrial forestland owners in 48 counties are eligible to apply. But again, to be considered for this funding cycle, producers must apply in person at your local USDA Service Center by April 19, 2019.