NRCS News Releases
SOMERSET, July 14, 2008 – State Conservationist Tom Drewes announced
that USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will fund four
projects through the 2008 New Jersey Conservation Innovation Grants
program. The program is intended to stimulate the development and
adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while
leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and
protection in conjunction with agricultural production.
Laine Farms, located in Somerset County, will receive $75,000 for the
development of a local warm season pelletizing facility to provide an
alternate market for the warm-season grass crops in northern New Jersey.
The use of the pellets to provide winter heating for agricultural
structures will be further demonstrated in a partnership effort with New
Jersey Audubon.
Audit tools for use in energy-intensive horticultural and
floriculture operations will be developed and tested by Rutgers, the
State University of New Jersey. Dr. Thomas Manning at the New Jersey
Agricultural Experiment Station will lead this project with a goal of
discovering appropriate energy conservation measures that reduce total
energy use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve agricultural
efficiency. The project will receive $61,193.
A local source of black-oil sunflowers for a “Jersey Grown” bird seed
mix will be developed by Mark Kirby of Derwood Farms in partnership with
New Jersey Audubon. Derwood Farms will receive $52,934 for this project
that will also include the use of an innovative bio-char product to
enhance the soil condition in the sunflower fields in an effort to
improve water quality and carbon sequestration.
Up to five staff members from local Soil Conservation Districts
and/or Resource Conservation and Development Councils will be recruited
and trained to perform on-farm energy audits in New Jersey by EnSave, a
corporation headquartered in Vermont. As part of the $18,090 grant
agreement, four audits will be conducted and energy saving strategies
will be implemented on the audited farms.
New Jersey received a total of nine applications for the 2008
competition. A panel of experts from different conservation and
environmental agencies and groups reviewed the applications and
recommended six for funding. Drewes made the final selections based on
these reviews and on the availability of program funds. “This is the
first year we had more fundable projects than money available to support
them. We hope this trend continues under the 2008 Farm Bill, as it gives
us the best opportunity to get new innovative ideas on the land that
will eventually benefit all New Jersey farmers by offering alternative
environmental solutions for some of our natural resource problems,”
Drewes said.
The 2008 Farm Bill passed by Congress in May continues the
Conservation Innovation Grants program, a popular component of the
Environmental Quality Incentives Program, through the year 2012. This is
the fourth year that New Jersey NRCS has funded Conservation Innovation Grants
in the state. For more on the work NRCS is doing in New Jersey, visit
the NRCS website.
Farmers have through August 15 to apply.
SOMERSET, NJ, May 29, 2008— Tom Drewes, State Conservationist for USDA,
Natural Resources Conservation Service in New Jersey, today extended the
application period for two conservation programs offered through the Farm Bill.
Farmers can apply for 2009 assistance through the Environmental Quality
Incentives Program (EQIP) and Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) until
close of business August 15, 2008. Drewes said, "Since the Farm Bill was passed
later than expected, we wanted to ensure that potential applicants had adequate
time to review the opportunities afforded them in the new law."
Through EQIP, farmers may receive financial and technical help with
structural and management conservation practices that address soil, water, air,
forestry, grazing and animal waste issues on agricultural land.
The AMA Program in New Jersey targets beginning farmers, limited resource
farmers, small farms, and producers who have had limited participation in other
USDA financial assistance programs. AMA prioritizes management practices that
reduce agricultural risk by improving soil and plant productivity.
Drewes indicated that the application period for the Wildlife Incentives
Habitat Program (WHIP), which targets habitat development and management for the
state's at-risk species, had been previously set for August 15.
Farmers interested in these conservation programs should contact the NRCS
Service Center that serves their county. More information is available online at
www.nj.nrcs.usda.gov.
SOMERSET, NJ, May 7, 2008— Farmers in the Lower Delaware Watershed of
New Jersey will have until May 30 to apply for the 2008 Conservation
Security Program (CSP). Originally, the CSP sign-up was scheduled to run
from April 18-May 16, 2008. New Jersey State Conservationist Tom Drewes
said, "By extending the sign-up period for CSP by two weeks,
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) Chief Arlen Lancaster hopes to encourage more eligible
farmers to apply for the voluntary program. This is a busy season for
farmers, and we are providing more time so that applicants are able to
complete the required self-assessment and applicant interview."
CSP, a voluntary program, encourages and rewards producers who practice
outstanding stewardship on working agricultural land by offering
financial incentives that increase with the level of conservation
effort. Soil and water quality are the primary focus of this program;
however, program goals also include improved wildlife habitat, air
quality, energy conservation, and environmentally responsible energy
production.
A sign-up extension announcement is scheduled to be published in the
Federal Register on May 9, 2008. For more information about
CSP and eligibility requirements,
please visit http://www.nj.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp.
Sign up starts April 18
SOMERSET, March 26, 2008 – New Jersey State Conservationist Tom
Drewes announced today that sign up for the
2008 Conservation Security
Program (CSP) begins April 18 for farmers in the Lower Delaware
Watershed of New Jersey. The program administered by USDA, Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is intended to foster ongoing
resource conservation and is offered in selected watersheds when funding
is available. The Lower Delaware Watershed is located in parts of
Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester Counties.
Farmers who document their high levels of conservation and management on
their operations may qualify for the program. Increased payments may be added
for those who add and/or expand conservation activities. Minimum soil and water
resource eligibility criteria apply.
“Sign up will run from April 18 through May 16, “Drewes said, “but
farmers are encouraged to contact the NRCS office that serves their area
to get the process started as soon as possible.” Interested producers
must complete the CSP self-assessment workbook and take it to their
local NRCS office in order to sign up for the program. The
self-assessment workbook is available at any USDA Service Center or at
www.nj.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp. NRCS also provides other pertinent
information and links for prospective applicants on this website. After
the application materials are reviewed and accepted, an eligibility
interview will be scheduled. At the interview, producers will be
required to provide records demonstrating their eligibility for the
program.
Drewes’s announcement follows the nationwide announcement for the
2008 Conservation Security Program issued on Wednesday, March 19, 2008,
by US Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer. This year the program is
available to approximately 64,000 potentially-eligible farms and ranches
in 51 watersheds covering more than 23.7 million acres across the
country. Payments are paid annually over a period of 5 to 10 years.
Amounts vary according to the level of conservation existing or planned
for the operation, up to $45,000 a year.
Specific program requirements are being published in the
Federal
Register. For information about
the 2008 program in New Jersey, contact
Janice Reid, Assistant State
Conservationist for Programs at (732) 537-6042 or the NRCS Office in
Columbus (609) 267-1639 x 3 or Woodstown (856) 769-1126 x 3.
Somerset, February 21, 2008 - Projects that address natural resource concerns
or technology transfer with innovative techniques or approaches may be eligible
for funding through the Conservation Innovation Grant program administered by
USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). State Conservationist Tom
Drewes announced that up to $220,000 is available for the 2008 New Jersey
competition. The application period for the statewide competition will close on
April 9. Selected projects may receive up to 50 percent of the total project
cost with a maximum award of $75,000 for each project.
“This is an excellent opportunity for state and local agencies, nonprofit
organizations, for-profit companies, and individuals to help implement and
transfer innovative environmental solutions to natural resource problems,”
Drewes said. Projects may be from one to three years in length. Grants will fund
projects that focus on water resources, soil resources, atmospheric resources,
or wildlife habitat through on-the-ground conservation or the implementation of
innovative technologies related to on-farm energy efficiency, market-based
resources management, and irrigation water management. “What we are looking for
is innovation. We want projects that bring new technologies directly to Garden
State farmers.”
More information about the application process can be found online on the
federal eGrants website, on the
NJ NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants site,
or by contacting
Janice Reid, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs (janice.reid@nj.usda.gov
or (732) 537-6042). The 2002 Farm Bill established Conservation Innovation
Grants as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The first
New Jersey grants were awarded in 2005, and information about these funded
projects can be found on the New Jersey website.
Somerset – February 12, 2008 - State Conservationist Tom Drewes has announced
that USDADA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is taking applications
for the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Program. New Jersey is offering
the voluntary program to beginning farmers, limited resource farmers, small
farms, and producers who have had limited participation in other USDA financial
assistance programs. A signed application must be filed by 4:30 P.M. on Friday,
March 7 to be eligible for consideration in 2008.
Interested applicants should contact their local NRCS office to request a new
or updated conservation plan for their farm. Applicants must have current crop
and producer records on file with USDA, Farm Service Agency. They must own or
control the land, agree to implement specific eligible conservation practices
according to the contract schedule, and qualify for farmland assessment. In
addition, applicants must meet at least 3 of the 6 state criteria, which
include: 1) Average annual gross farm sales $75,000 or less for the last three
years; 2) Farm acreage less than 50 of specialty/vegetable crops/pasture OR less
than 200 of any other crops; 3) USDA program payments less than $10,000 (total)
over the last five years; 4) Production income more than 75% of the total
household income (for the previous tax year); 5) Farm Operating Loan (private or
government) used to support the beginning farm operation; 6) Rented acreage
totals more than 50% of the total production acreage of the farm.
Program information and office locations can be accessed online from the
NRCS
New Jersey homepage.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides assistance to
private land owners in the conservation and management of their soil, water, and
other natural resources. Participation in NRCS programs is voluntary.
Contact the NRCS office serving your county.
UP TO $20 MILLION AVAILABLE THROUGH NATIONAL PROGRAM
SOMERSET, Dec. 20, 2007 - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief
Arlen Lancaster has announced the request for proposals for national
Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for fiscal year 2008. The CIG program is
designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation
approaches and technologies.
NRCS New Jersey State Conservationist Thomas Drewes encourages
interested applicants to take advantage of this unique opportunity. “CIG
enables NRCS to work with other public and private entities to
accelerate transfer and adoption of promising technologies and
conservation approaches. Through CIG, we can address some of the State’s
most pressing natural resource concerns,” said Drewes.
Drewes explained that although this is the 5th year of CIG funding,
and successful applicants can receive up to $1 million for their
projects, no requests have been submitted for the national program by
New Jersey applicants. This is a situation he would like to see changed
in 2008. “New Jersey is in the forefront of so many new technologies and
ideas, it would be very appropriate for new agricultural approaches to
be implemented here through CIG”.
The Department of Agriculture’s NRCS administers CIG. For fiscal year (FY)
2008, up to $20 million is available for the National CIG competition. Funds for
single- or multi-year projects, not to exceed three years, will be awarded
through a nationwide competitive grants process with applications accepted from
all eligible non-government organizations or individuals.
Details on the eligibility criteria, award categories, and application
requirements can be found online. To view the complete
Announcement of Program
Funding, visit: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html. (Enter NRCS in the Quick
Search box, then click on the Submit button. On the Search Results page, look
for fr17de07N Conservation Innovation Grants Fiscal Year 2008 Announcement.)
To
apply electronically, visit: http://www.grants.gov/. More information about
NRCS
conservation programs can be obtained online at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov, or by
visiting the USDA Service Center that serves your area.
There are three CIG categories available in FY 2008:
Natural Resource Concerns Category—up to $10 million available for proposals
addressing one or more of the CIG natural resource concerns listed in the
announcement.
Technology Category—up to $5 million available for proposals addressing one
or more of the CIG technology categories listed in the announcement.
Chesapeake Bay Watershed Category—up to $5 million available for proposals
addressing one or more of the CIG natural resource concerns in the Chesapeake
Bay watershed.
Funding for CIG is made available through the Environmental Quality
Incentives Program (EQIP). All proposed CIG projects must involve EQIP-eligible
producers. CIG funds that are used to provide direct or indirect payments to
individuals or entities to implement structural, vegetative or management
practices are subject to the $450,000 EQIP payment limitation. CIG is not a
research program, but rather a tool to stimulate the adoption of conservation
approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a
high likelihood of success, and are likely candidates for eventual technology
transfer.
CIG will fund projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation,
including pilot projects and field demonstrations. Technologies and approaches
that are commonly used in the geographic area covered by the application, and
which are eligible for funding through EQIP, are not eligible for funding
through CIG. Proposed projects must conform to the description of innovative
conservation projects or activities published in the Announcement of Program
Funding (APF).
CIG funds pilot projects and conservation field trials that can last from one
to three years. Grants for approved projects cannot exceed 50 percent of the
total project cost. The federal contribution for a single project cannot exceed
$1 million. At least 50 percent of the total cost of the project must come from
non-Federal matching funds (cash and in-kind contributions) provided by the
grantee. While NRCS will provide technical oversight for each project receiving
an award, the grantee is responsible for providing the technical assistance
required to successfully complete the project.
Applicants should explain how large a geographic area the project would
benefit. Projects may be watershed-based, regional, multi-State, or nationwide
in scope. Applications should describe the use of innovative technologies or
approaches, or both, to address a natural resource conservation concern(s).
Applications must be received in the NRCS National Headquarters by 5 p.m.,
Eastern Standard Time (EST), on Wednesday, February 20, 2008. Applications
should be sent to: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Conservation
Innovation Grants Program; Financial Assistance Programs Division, Room 5239-S;
1400 Independence Ave, SW.; Washington, DC 20250.
The New Jersey NRCS also provides limited funding through a
state-level CIG that will be announced in late February 2008. “State funded projects tend to be
more local in scope and are limited to a maximum of $75,000 in funding,” said Drewes. “New Jersey has successfully awarded six state-level CIG contracts in
the past three years, and we are very pleased with the results. We would like to
see larger projects that can provide a positive impact to more growers, however,
funded through the national competition,” he said.
 November 29, 2007 - Farmers in the Lower Delaware Watershed may be
eligible to participate in the
Conservation Security Program (CSP) in 2008. This program rewards
agricultural producers who are actively protecting soil and water
quality on their farms. CSP payments may be as high as $45,000 annually.
The Lower Delaware Watershed is situated in parts of Burlington, Camden,
and Gloucester Counties.
USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the
program and will conduct informational meetings about this new
opportunity and assist applicants with sign-up preparation. Sessions
will be held on Thursday, December 13th at 7:00 p.m. and Wednesday,
December 19th at 1:00 p.m. at the Burlington County Research & Extension
Office, 2 Academy Drive, Westampton, NJ 08060 (609) 265-5050.
For more information about CSP, please contact the NRCS office in
Columbus (609-267-1639 ext. 3) or Woodstown (856-769-1126 ext. 3) or
visit the CSP page of our
website.
Landowners, Farmers and Aquaculturists May Be Eligible
Somerset, NJ - July 18, 2007 –Tom Drewes, State Conservationist for the USDA,
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in New Jersey has extended the
period for 2008 Farm Bill conservation program funding consideration through
August 31, 2007. NRCS accepts applications for conservation programs
the USDA
agency administers throughout the year, but establishes funding periods to
facilitate application review and contract development.
Drewes recently approved the addition of several options for air quality
management and shell fish aquaculture for the 2008 program. “We have broadened
the range of diesel engines eligible for replacement to keep pace with the
updated EPA Tier standards, and are now offering several water quality
protection measures for shellfish growers,” Drewes said.
The changes to the program were recommended by the State Technical Committee,
the advisory group to the State Conservationist that helps focus NRCS programs
on critical issues. The committee is made up of representatives from state and
federal agencies, agricultural producers and organizations, agribusiness, and
non-profit conservation groups.
All applicants who submit complete program applications prior to 4:30 PM on
Friday, August 31 will be considered for funding during the 2008 fiscal year,
which starts October 1. Application information is available online at
www.nj.nrcs.usda.gov or at any USDA Service Center location.
News Contact:
Barbara Phillips 732-537-6044
Last Modified:
July 14, 2008
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