Alabama State Conservationist Ben Malone with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service reminds farmers, ranchers and private landowners in Alabama to apply for financial and technical assistance through the 2020 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) by Friday, Feb. 28.
![eqip](https://i0.wp.com/southeastagnet.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/nrcs-eqip-eprd1332858.jpg?resize=237%2C130)
“NRCS works hard to help eligible farmers, ranchers and private landowners plan and carry out conservation practices that can benefit all Alabama’s residents by providing clean air and water, healthy and productive forests, and healthy soils. EQIP provides crucial funding to help producers carry out these practices on their agricultural land,” said Ben Malone, State Conservationist for Alabama.”
EQIP, a voluntary conservation program, promotes agricultural production and environmental quality. This program is available to eligible producers and landowners and offers financial and technical assistance to install or implement structural and management practices on private land that deliver environmental benefits, such as improved water quality and reduced soil erosion. Eligible land includes cropland, pastureland and non-industrial private forestland.
To learn more about financial and technical assistance available to help Alabama farmers and other landowners improve and protect their land, visit the Alabama NRCS website or visit your local NRCS office.