Financial Help for Farmers and Woodland Owners
February 17, 2006 Deadline for Federal Cost Share Programs
The USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has money to help New
Hampshire farmers and woodland owners with 70 different conservation practices,
through the national Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and the
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP).
UNH Cooperative Extension and NRCS are working together to see that the conservation goals of the funding are met.
For farmers, EQIP funds nutrient management plans, animal waste storage facility, cover crops, composting facilities, contour farming and feed management practices; WHIP pays for field restoration, brush cutting, release of fruiting trees and shrubs, and other practices that improve wildlife habitat.
For woodland owners, EQIP and WHIP fund forest stewardship plans, access roads, site preparation, tree planting, forest stand improvement, and stabilization of roads, trails and landings.
NRCS State Conservationist Tessa Chadwick says the financial and technical assistance programs can “help farmers and forest landowners address resource concerns on agricultural working lands, promote environmental quality, address challenges in water quality and quantity, protect prime farmland and grazing land, and protect valuable wetland ecosystems and wildlife habitat on private lands.”
The deadline for signing up for the cost-sharing programs is February 17, 2006, though we encourage landowners to apply immediately. If you are interested, contact your local NRCS or UNH Cooperative Extension office today.
By Karen Bennett, UNH Cooperative Extension Forest Resources Specialist
Additional Resources:
