The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama wants to remind farmers that were affected by recent heavy rainfall, sign up for Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) funds ends Friday, December 4, 2020.
Alabama counties recently experienced extensive damage due to extreme wind speeds and high rainfall amounts which caused excessive soil erosion and damage to cropland agricultural commodities, especially in coastal and southern counties. So 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 these special funds include Baldwin, Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Mobile, Conecuh, and Monroe. Practices will include Grade Stabilization Structures, Waterways, Terraces, associated Underground Outlets, Low Pressure Center Pivots, and a suite of supporting practices.
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. Plus, 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.
For more information and to sign-up, contact your local USDA Service Center or go to the Alabama NRCS website.