The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) has announced a Fiscal Year 2024 statewide federal assistance opportunity for agricultural and forest producers. This is through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and the signup runs until November 17, 2023. It will utilize 2018 Farm Bill and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding.
While customers can apply year-round, this application ranking date announcement is for all general EQIP, special initiatives, as well as the IRA-funded Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry mitigation activities that address grazing, forestry, soil health and energy related resource concerns. Customers should discuss these sign-up options with their local conservationist to see if any are right for them.
“Georgia NRCS is looking forward to working with new and returning customers to help improve our working lands through this sign-up” said State Conservationist Terrance O. Rudolph. “This year’s assistance, bolstered by the Inflation Reduction Act’s funding will allow us to meet the needs of more producers, acres and communities than we ever thought possible.”
EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.
As a reminder, historically underserved producers approved for funding through EQIP, qualify for the advanced payment option. This option allows these producers to get conservation practice payments in advance of the practice implementation.
More information on USDA conservation programs is available online at https://www.farmers.gov/conservation or https://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov.