When natural events like hurricanes come in and cause significant damage to farms, there are a few federal programs that may be able to help. One of which is the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). It helps farmers and ranchers repair damage to farmlands caused by natural disasters through funding and technical assistance. For land to qualify for ECP funds, the damage …
Florida EQIP, RCPP Application Deadlines are September 30
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 …
Signup Continues for Conservation Easements in Georgia
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia wants to remind landowners across the state that signup continues for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for fiscal year 2023. To be considered for the upcoming fiscal year’s funding pool, applications must be submitted by October 7, 2022. The ACEP, created through the 2014 Farm Bill and reauthorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, is …
RIPE Awarded $80 Million for Pilot Conservation Program
A big boost for a rural environment project. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Rural Investment to Protect our Environment (RIPE) and its partners have been awarded $80 million for a pilot program by USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program. RIPE is a producer-led organization advancing RIPE 100. It’s a conservation program that would pay producers $100 per …
USDA-NRCS in Georgia Announces Signup for Conservation Easements
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia has announced sign-up is underway for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for fiscal year 2023. To be considered for the upcoming fiscal year’s funding pool, applications must be submitted by October 7, 2022. The ACEP, created through the 2014 Farm Bill and reauthorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, is a program that has two …
EQIP Application Deadline Extended to September 30 in Florida
Florida agricultural producers and landowners have more time to apply to participate in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for the current funding cycle. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has announced the signup has been extended to September 30, 2022. Juan C. Hernandez, Florida State Conservationist, notes the extension will allow more farmers, ranchers, and non-industrial private forestland managers to …
USDA Investing in Innovative Projects for Climate-Smart Agriculture
Earlier this month, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced it will invest $15 million this year for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic program. Through CIG, grantees work to address our nation’s water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while supporting agricultural production. This year’s funding priorities are climate-smart agriculture, addressing invasive species and …
Application Deadline for EQIP is Sept 2 in Florida
Agricultural producers and landowners in Florida are reminded the deadline to apply for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is Friday, September 2nd. Through EQIP, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida can provide producers and landowners with financial resources and one-on-one help to plan and implement improvements that address resource concerns. Once an application has been filed, the local NRCS conservation …
Still Time to Respond to Conservation Survey
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to remind producers there is still time to respond to the Conservation Practice Adoption Motivations Survey over the coming weeks. In late May, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) mailed the survey to nearly 2,700 farmers and ranchers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. A joint project between NASS and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), …
USDA Awards $7.85 Million to Florida Forest to Gulf Regional Conservation Partnership Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced it is awarding $197 million for 41 locally led conservation projects through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). This includes a project in Florida, the Alachua Conservation Trust’s (ACT) Forest to Gulf RCPP. It has been awarded $7.85 million to expand conservation programs in the North Central part of the state, and is the …