Trying to move grain and many other items down the Mississippi River this fall continue to be affected by the low water levels. Mark Oppold has more details.
Two Major Conservation Program Sign-up Deadlines in Florida is Friday
Here’s a reminder from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida that the deadline to apply for two of its major conservation programs is Friday, October 7. They are the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The original September 2 deadline, previously extended to September 30, was extended to this Friday to allow farmers, ranchers, and non-industrial private forestland …
USDA-NRCS in Georgia Announces Two Program Sign-Ups
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia has announced that two program sign-ups are underway. NRCS and partner groups have a sign-up for four regionally-focused conservation projects being funded through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Each project has unique objectives and boundaries, but the ranking date for all eligible producers in these project areas to apply is November 4, 2022. To learn …
Application Deadline for CIG Classic Program is October 11
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will be investing $15 million in 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. But a reminder, applications are being accepted until October 11, 2022. This year’s funding priorities are climate-smart …
ECP Program for Natural Disaster Assistance
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 …
USDA Announces Fertilizer Production Grants
While speaking at the annual meeting of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $500 million in grants is available to increase American-made fertilizer production. It’s an effort to spur competition and combat price hikes on U.S. farmers caused by the war in Ukraine. “Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President …
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 …
Pork Board Receives $155 Million in Climate-Smart Funds
The National Pork Board (NPB) received three grants totaling $155 million as part of the USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding. The three grants are part of the $2.8 billion awarded to 70 selected projects in the first round of funding for the program. The first grant, valued at $20 million, will incentivize soil health and manure management practice adoption and support …
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 …