NEWS
United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
1221 College Park Drive, Suite 100
Dover, Delaware 19904
For More Information:
Tim Garrahan, 302/678-4260
Dastina Johnson, 302/678-4179
ARE
YOU EQIP’D?
Sign-up deadline
approaching for popular conservation program
Dover, Del.,
October 8, 2009 – Conservation officials are encouraging producers to sign up
for technical and financial assistance through the federal Environmental Quality
Incentives Program (EQIP) before the October 31 cut-off date. Last year, the
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in
Delaware awarded producers
$6.5 million through 150 EQIP contracts.
EQIP is a
voluntary, financial assistance program that helps fund on-farm conservation
practices. Practices include those aimed at improving irrigation efficiency;
managing nutrient run-off and/or animal waste; improving the health of native
plant communities; and reducing soil loss. In most instances, producers who
participate in the program pay for roughly half of the costs of the conservation
measures or practices.
Delaware farmers
transitioning to organic production or already certified as an organic producer
may also qualify for the organic initiative under EQIP. Organic producers can
receive up to $20,000 per year or $80,000 over six years through this program.
“Not only
does EQIP provide financial incentives to help enhance the natural resources
that sustain your agricultural operation,” said Russell Morgan, NRCS State
Conservationist. “But, the technical knowledge that our conservationists
provide is comprehensive and guaranteed to help achieve your conservation goal.”
Applications
received before October 31 will be considered first for funding; applications
received after this date will be considered for future funding periods.
EQIP provides payments of
up to 75 percent for certain conservation practices and activities. Certain
historically underserved producers (limited resource farmers, beginning farmers
and socially disadvantaged producers) may be eligible for payments up to 90
percent.
To find out more about EQIP
or other conservation related topics in your area, please contact your local
USDA Service Center. The USDA is listed in the blue pages under United States
Government Offices.
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