USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind landowners that applications to fund agricultural easements in Florida are being accepted until April 25. NRCS provides financial and technical assistance to conserve working lands and wetlands through two programs, the Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE). Through ALE, NRCS provides financial assistance to conservation partners for …
USDA Program Helps Florida Recover from Hurricane Irma
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has approved $99.3 million for 37 projects in 23 counties through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) to help state and local governments recover from Hurricane Irma. The storm caused widespread damage to buildings, water infrastructure and major erosion when it tore through parts of Florida in September of 2017. Workers have been removing sediment, trees and debris from waterways and stabilizing banks …
Signup Deadline for Georgians Affected by Hurricane Michael Nearing
Farmers, ranchers and forestland owners in Georgia who suffered damage to working lands due to Hurricane Michael but were not eligible for previous signup period are being reminded the extended signup period ends Friday, April 19. Georgia State Conservationist Terrance O. Rudolph with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Tas Smith have been working …
Monday Deadline for Easement Program Sign-Up in Alabama
Under the Wetlands Reserve Easements component, financial assistance is available for landowners to enhance and protect habitat for wildlife on their lands, reduce impacts from flooding, recharge groundwater and provide outdoor recreational and educational opportunities. The voluntary nature of NRCS’ easement programs allows effective integration of wetland restoration on working landscapes, providing benefits to farmers and ranchers who enroll in …
Two More Weeks to Comment on Conservation Practice Standards
Landowners interested in making public comments on how to improve conservation practice standards that support programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), are reminded you have until April 25 to do so. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is currently accepting public input on existing national conservation practice standards as part of implementing the 2018 Farm Bill. Over 150 …
New CSP Signup Period Underway
The next signup deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) applications to be considered for 2019 funding is May 10. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plans to invest up to $700 million for new enrollments and contract extensions in fiscal year 2019. The 2018 farm bill made several changes to this critical conservation program, which includes high …
Alabama EQIP Signup Deadline Nearing
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama reminds landowners the signup batching deadline for Fiscal Year 2019 funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is April 25th. This EQIP signup includes wildlife, forestry, cropland erosion, cropland irrigation, grazing land, and water quality concerns. Plus, there are National and Statewide initiatives included, like Alabama Soil Health, Feral Swine Management, Working Lands …
NRCS Florida State Technical Committee Meeting
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has announced they will conduct a State Technical Committee Meeting on May 21, from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Doyle Conner Agriculture Building Auditorium in Gainesville. The meeting is open to the public and will give an overview of the 2018 Farm Bill programs and conservation easements. This year’s …
USDA Sign Up for Georgians Affected by Hurricane Michael
Georgia state leaders for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to remind farmers, ranchers and forestland owners who suffered damage to working lands due to Hurricane Michael but were not eligible for previous sign ups, you have until April 19th to seek assistance for the USDA programs right for you. Georgia State Conservationist, Terrance Rudolph with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service …
Federal Program Repairs Popular Arcadia Park
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has provided $740,000 to DeSoto County through Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) assistance to help to repair hurricane damage a popular park in Arcadia, Fla. Hurricane Irma struck Southwest Florida as a Category 3 in fall 2017. The hurricane dropped from 10 to 15 inches in the Peace River drainage area, which covers 1,367 square miles. The Peace …