NRCS Conservation Grant Program to Aid Farmers-Awards Link Increased Agricultural Production with Environmental Quality

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Peter Bonome  (401) 822-8824

Warwick, RI October 15, 2008 The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is encouraging farmers to take advantage of its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a voluntary conservation grant program designed to promote and stimulate innovative approaches to environmental enhancement and protection, while improving agricultural production. Through EQIP, farmers and forestland managers may receive financial and technical help to install or implement structural and management conservation practices on eligible agricultural and forest land.

Hundreds of farmers and landowners throughout the state have already taken advantage of the voluntary grants in previous years, and the success of EQIP has led to the NRCS promoting it more widely. In 2008, NRCS assisted and provided funding to 517 clients totaling $4,460,844 in cost share incentive funds in Rhode Island. The funded programs are located at a wide range of sites throughout the state. (See attached map.)

Producers engaged in livestock or crop production on eligible land may apply for the program. Eligible land includes cropland, pasture, private non-industrial forestland, and other farmlands. The first deadline for submission of grants for 2009 funding is November 1, 2008, with a second opportunity to submit proposals prior to February 15, 2009.

“Farmers and landowners who want to adopt innovative and environment-conscious management and operation techniques that range from water conservation to pest control to energy reduction, have had huge success in coming to get assistance from EQIP” said Peter Bonome, Conservationist for the NRCS. “The efficiency provided by the new methods they employ through such tools as cutting-edge irrigation processes boosts their production and gives them an economic pay-off, and it helps the environment at the same time. It’s win-win all around.”

EQIP applications are accepted throughout the year. NRCS evaluates each application using a state and locally developed evaluation process. Higher priorities are given to applications that encourage the use of cost-effective conservation practices, address national conservation priorities, and optimize environmental benefits. Activities are carried out according to a conservation plan of operation developed in conjunction with the producer.

The program provides an economic incentive to farmers, but also requires a commitment on the recipients’ part. EQIP may pay up to 75 percent of the costs of certain conservation practices important to improving and maintaining the health of natural resources in the area. Incentive payments may be made to encourage a producer to adopt land management practices, such as nutrient management, manure management, integrated pest management, irrigation water management, and wildlife habitat management. EQIP may also help forest landowners develop and implement their Forest Management Plan.

EQIP provides for additional funding specifically to promote ground and surface water conservation activities to improve irrigation systems; convert to the production of less water intensive agricultural commodities; improve water storage through measures such as water banking and groundwater recharge; or institute other measures that improve groundwater and surface water conservation,

EQIP offers contracts with a minimum term of one year after implementation of the last scheduled project and a maximum term of 10 years. These contracts provide incentive payments and cost share payments for implementing conservation projects. Limited resource farmers and beginning farmers may be eligible for up to 90 percent of the cost of conservation projects.

For information on the NRCS EQIP Program, contact Michael Moorman, Assistant State Conservationist – Programs, USDA NRCS, 60 Quaker Lane, Warwick, RI 02886; by phone at: (401) 822-8820; or email to: michael.moorman@ri.usda.gov.

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