The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering financial and technical assistance to help agricultural producers address natural resource concerns and improve existing conservation activities on their farms and ranches. Approximately $2.5 million is available. Applications for the classic Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), CSP organic program, and Inflation Reduction Act funded versions of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and CSP are due April 28.

EQIP is a voluntary program providing funding to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conservation of ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.

The Conservation Stewardship Program is for all private working lands and agricultural land under jurisdiction of a tribe.  This program provides annual payments for meeting certain benchmarks in the management of the land.  Additional payments are earned by agreeing to complete enhancements to the land.  On-farm benefits include increased crop yields, decreased inputs, wildlife habitat improvements, and better resilience to weather variables.

The following amounts are available under each program:

• EQIP-IRA: $852.454
• CSP-IRA: $480,063
• CSP Classic: $1 million
• CSP Organic: $200,000

The IRA funds will provide direct climate mitigation benefits and expand access to financial and technical assistance for producers to advance conservation on their farm, ranch or forest land through practices like cover cropping, conservation tillage, wetland restoration, prescribed grazing, nutrient management, tree planting and more.

Historically underserved (HU) participants, including limited resource farmers and ranchers, beginning farmers and ranchers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and veteran farmers and ranchers are eligible for advance payments to help offset costs related to purchasing materials or contracting services through EQIP.  HU participants may elect to receive an advance of not less than 50 percent of the EQIP conservation practice payment amount.  Participants who receive advance payment must expend the funds within 90 days of receiving the advance.

Water management entities who assist private agricultural producers with managing water distribution or conservation systems can also apply for EQIP.  These entities are defined as a State, irrigation district, ground water management district, acequia, land grant-merced, or similar entity that has jurisdiction or responsibilities related to water delivery or management to eligible lands.

To learn more about EQIP and CSP, or for general information about NRCS programs, contact your local NRCS office. Office locations can be found here. https://bit.ly/3Tqmfi0

Original source can be found here.