The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) wants to remind agricultural landowners in the state that they are still accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), climate-smart practices through EQIP and CSP funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).
While NRCS accepts applications year-round, Florida producers and landowners need to apply by November 17, 2023 to be considered for funding in the FY2024 current cycle.
Through EQIP, NRCS provides agricultural producers with one-on-one help and financial assistance to plan and implement conservation practices to address a variety of issues such as water quality degradation, soil erosion, soil quality degradation, and inadequate habitat for fish and wildlife.
EQIP-IRA applications must include at least one core Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry conservation practice or activity that directly improves soil carbon, reduces nitrogen losses, or reduces, captures, avoids or sequesters carbon dioxide, methane or nitrous emissions associated with agricultural productions. Facilitating practices or activities that are needed to implement the core practice may also be included.
Florida NRCS’ IRA focus for FY24 will include but is not limited to improving energy efficiency of stationary equipment and facilities on agriculture operations to reduce energy use; increasing total carbon stored in soils and/or perennial biomass to reduce atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and enhance carbon sequestration.
Through CSP, NRCS works one-on-one with producers to develop a conservation plan that outlines and enhances existing efforts while improving their agricultural operations.
Using new conservation practices or activities, agricultural producers can adopt practices and activities that expand on the benefits of cleaner water and air, healthier soil, and better wildlife habitat, all based on management objectives specific to their farming operation.
Through RCPP, NRCS seeks to co-invest with partners to implement projects that demonstrate innovative solutions to conservation challenges and provide measurable improvements and outcomes tied to the resource concerns they seek to address.
Any applications received after the current sign up of November 17, 2023 will automatically be considered during future funding cycles. For more information, contact NRCS at your local USDA Service Center.