The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has announced several new and expanded opportunities for climate-smart agriculture in 2022. Updates include nationwide availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts option. “Climate change is happening, and America’s agricultural communities are on the frontlines,” NRCS State Conservationist Juan Hernandez said. “We have to continue to support and expand the adoption …
Conservation Program Opportunities Support Climate Smart Agriculture in Alabama
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama wants to remind producers and landowners across the state about several new and expanded opportunities for climate smart agriculture in 2022. These updates include availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts option. It is a new and streamlined EQIP Cover Crop Initiative which includes added flexibilities for producers to easily re-enroll …
USDA Renews Partnership with Federation of Southern Cooperatives
During an event held Monday in East Point, Ga., Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined the Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund, Cornelius Blanding, to sign an agreement signifying a continued partnership between USDA and the nonprofit organization. The partnership aims to increase the number of minority landowners in the South and support them in sustainable forestry and …
Conservation Effort Completed at Florida’s Big Bend
According to USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) and The Conservation Fund, a multi-year effort to conserve working forestlands and habitat along Florida’s Big Bend coast, has been completed. The “Gulf of Mexico – Forest to Sea” project will provide a vast buffer of conservation lands for wildlife habitat, water quality and quantity, and resilience against extreme weather and climate change. The effort was …
USDA Expands Partnerships for Conservation Through CREP
(WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2021)?— The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is leveraging its authorities under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to bring in new types of partners and ultimately expand opportunities in voluntary conservation for the country’s agricultural producers and private landowners. USDA has updated CREP’s rule regarding matching fund requirements and invested in additional staff to work directly with partners for streamlined, partner-driven conservation …
CSP Signup in Florida Ends Dec. 10
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind agricultural producers and forest landowners they are accepting applications for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). But the deadline to apply to be considered for funding in the current cycle is December 10, 2021. CSP is for working lands, including cropland, pastureland, rangeland, non-industrial forestland as well as tribal lands. The program helps producers …
Signup Deadline Announced for RCPP in Alabama
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama has announced they are now accepting applications for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) for the first batching date through January 3, 2022. In Alabama, the Nature Conservancy plans to reduce sedimentation, toxic pollution, nutrient runoff, and other stresses within several waterbodies in the Paint Rock, Big Canoe Creek, and Locust Fork watersheds. Implementing streambank restoration …
Georgia State Conservationist Promotes EQIP
While USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia recently held a batching sign up for 2022 programs, they want to remind producers and landowners technical or financial assistance can be applied for year-round. Georgia State Conservationist Terrance O. Rudolph wants you to know that applications are accepted on a continuous basis, and this includes for their popular Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Rudolph said, …
USDA-NRCS in Alabama Encourages Producers to Contact Local Offices
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama recently held their first program batching deadline for Fiscal Year 2022 Conservation Easements and Financial Assistance Programs. But they want to remind eligible landowners and agricultural producers that continuous sign up is offered for many of their popular programs. NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Programs in Alabama, Steve Musser, encourages producers, no …
Florida State Conservationist Promoting EQIP
Many producers and landowners are familiar with the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). But some may not be familiar with all of the practices offered under EQIP. So, Florida State Conservationist Juan Hernandez, with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), wants you to know that EQIP applications are accepted on a continuous basis. Through EQIP, assistance is available to help producers and landowners plan and …