Florida agricultural producers and landowners have until Friday, September 30 to apply for funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Applications, through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida, are accepted throughout the year but farmers, ranchers, and non-industrial private forestland managers are urged to apply for this funding cycle. Any applications received after the deadline will be considered for a future funding cycle.
State Conservationist for NRCS in Florida Juan Hernandez said, “Using EQIP conservation practices can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving agricultural operations. If you have an agricultural resource concern you are ready to address or a management system you want to try, now is the time to apply for EQIP.”
Eligible applicants are those who are engaged in agricultural production or forestry management or have an interest in the agricultural or forestry operation associated with the land offered for enrollment. Eligible land is that on which agricultural commodities, livestock, or forest-related products are produced, and specifically includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, nonindustrial private forestland, other agricultural land such as environmentally sensitive areas, and agricultural land used to produce livestock. At least one natural resource concern must be identified and addressed with a conservation practice or activity on eligible land.
Once an application has been filed, the local NRCS conservation planner will have a one-on-one consultation with the applicant to identify the applicant’s goals and objectives for the land and assess the condition of natural resources. An NRCS conservation planner will present conservation practices or systems to address and enhance these natural resources. The amount of financial assistance available can vary based on practice priority and applicant status. Each year, NRCS re-evaluates the amount of financial assistance payment rates.
Plus, Florida private landowners in the St. Marks and Aucilla River watersheds have until September 30, 2022 to apply financial and technical assistance from the NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) for fiscal year 2023 funding.
The RCPP assistance will help landowners in portions of Leon, Jefferson, Wakulla, Madison, and Taylor counties conduct prescribed burns, remove invasive plants, plant longleaf pine trees, and create wildlife habitat on their property.
For more information about EQIP or RCPP contact NRCS at your local USDA Service Center.