Legislation through the 2018 Farm Bill continues to provide support for conservation efforts for farmers and ranchers through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia. They offer financial and technical assistance through conservation practices, activities and enhancements to help make and maintain improvements on the land. Some of the programs available that can benefit operations across the state …
NRCS to Host Public Webinars on Funding Opportunities
The new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), otherwise known as the Build Back Better bill, is providing funding for watershed programs available through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). These programs are designed to help communities recover from the impacts of natural resources. These include the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program, Watershed Rehabilitation Program and the Emergency Watershed Protection Program. Funding will be available …
USDA to Issue Final Pandemic Payments for Timber Harvesters and Haulers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will start issuing final pandemic assistance payments to timber harvesters and timber hauling businesses through the Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers (PATHH) program next week. Overall, $200 million will be provided to loggers and log trucking businesses who experienced a gross revenue loss of at least 10% during the period of Jan. 1 through Dec. …
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 …
Learn About the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama and Georgia encourages producers and eligible partners to learn more about the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). Created through the 2014 Farm Bill and reauthorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, ACEP is a program with two components, Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE). ACEP-WRE applications are accepted directly from producers on eligible lands. These easements will …
FSA County Committee Elections Continue
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to remind agricultural producers and private landowners the Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee Elections continue. But the deadline to return ballots to your local FSA county office, or for them to be postmarked, is December 6, 2021. Elections are occurring in certain local areas for committee members who make important decisions about how federal …
NRCS in Florida Announces Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Signup
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has announced they are accepting applications from agricultural producers and forest landowners for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). While NRCS does accept ACEP applications year-round, producers and landowners should apply by December 31, 2021 to be considered for funding in the current cycle. ACEP provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands …
USDA Investing $32 Million to Strengthen U.S. Food Supply Chain
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Monday they will be investing $32 million in grants through awards to 167 meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities to support expanded capacity and efficiency through the Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) program. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, “Today’s investment supports local and regional meat and poultry processors as they recover from …