The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia reminds producers sign-up for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program’s (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) that utilize funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) ends May 5th.
This signup is utilizing IRA funding to provide direct climate mitigation benefits and expand access to financial and technical assistance for producers to advance conservation on their farm, ranch or forest land.
Under the statewide EQIP-IRA sign-up, the ACT NOW streamlined application and contract approval approach is still in effect. Cover crop applications will be assessed and ranked as they are submitted and based on funds availability.
Then those applying for energy conservation related practices will be administered through the normal batching and ranking process that occurs after the sign-up conclusion date.
For the CSP-IRA funded portion of this sign-up, agricultural producers in Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, and Seminole counties can apply for Soil Health focused practices and enhancements. Whereas producers and forest landowners in Bleckley, Dodge, Emmanuel, Johnson, Laurens, Montgomery, Toombs, Treutlen, Twiggs, Washington, Wheeler, and Wilkinson counties can apply for Agroforestry, Forestry and Upland Wildlife Habitat practices and enhancements.
Download the Georgia CSP – Inflation Reduction Act Activities List for more information.
NRCS accepts applications for conservation programs year-round, but to be included in this funding batch, interested producers should contact their local USDA Service Center and apply by May 5, 2023.