U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Ben Malone has announced availability of Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) funds for Farmers and Ranchers that were affected by Hurricane Sally. Applications for financial assistance will be accepted through November 13, 2020.
Alabama counties in Hurricane Sally’s path experienced extensive damage due to extreme wind speeds and high rainfall amounts. The natural disaster caused excessive soil erosion and damage to agricultural commodities and infrastructure, especially in coastal and southern counties.
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To assist affected producers, mitigate their on-farm resource concerns, Alabama NRCS is offering financial assistance to address erosion on cropland with targeted Conservation Practices.
Counties eligible for disaster funds include Baldwin, Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Mobile, Conecuh, and Monroe. Primary eligible practices will include conservation cover, cover crops, pasture and hay land planting, and a suite of supporting practices.
For more information and to sign-up, visit your local USDA Service Center; you can locate your local Service Center at farmers.gov/service-center-locator.
Historically underserved participants like socially disadvantaged, limited resource, new and beginning, and eligible military veteran farmers and ranchers are eligible for a higher payment rate.
Additionally, these historically underserved farmers and ranchers are eligible to receive a 50 percent advanced payment for purchasing materials or contracting to assist with practice implementation.