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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

USDA NRCS Extends Sign-up for Conservation Programs to February 20

    DOVER, Del., Feb. 6, 2009— Cost-share applications for four broad-ranging conservation programs are being accepted for funding consideration now through February 20, 2009 at USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices throughout Delaware. 

    “We have extended the date from the previously announced deadline to ensure a fair and equitable opportunity for customers to apply for financial assistance under the new 2008 Farm Bill,” said NRCS State Conservationist Russell Morgan.  “Although our programs may vary in their respective priorities, they all provide landowners with various resources for balancing agricultural efficiency with natural resource protection.”

 

    The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) places a priority on water conservation and promotes forest management practices and energy conservation.  The new EQIP has a section geared towards funding for conservation practices that help producers engaged in, or transitioning to, organic production.  It also provides funding for conservation practices that address air quality concerns from agricultural operations using innovative technologies. In addition, limited resource, socially-disadvantaged or beginning farmers may receive additional financial assistance. 

    The Agricultural Management Assistance Program (AMA) provides payments to agricultural producers to voluntarily address issues such as water quality, water management and erosion control by incorporating conservation practices into their farming operations.  Conservation practices eligible for funding include, but are not limited to, nutrient management, cover crops, poultry windbreaks, proper manure storage, composters and conservation cover.  

    The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) offers technical and financial assistance to private landowners to develop and improve high quality habitat that supports wildlife populations of significance.  Only privately-owned agricultural land and forest land are eligible for WHIP.  Eligible practices for funding consideration include conservation cover, windbreaks, filter strips, riparian forest buffers, wetlands restoration and more. 

    The sign-up deadline includes the recently announced Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative (CBWI). Producers located within the Nanticoke and Upper Choptank watersheds can now apply for special technical and financial assistance under this initiative to install agricultural practices to help control erosion, and to minimize excess nutrients and sediments in order to restore, preserve, and protect the Chesapeake Bay. 

    Applications for the above conservation programs are accepted year round. The new, extended deadline of February 20 reflects the cut off for funding consideration during the 2009 fiscal year. For more information on NRCS conservation programs, visit the Delaware NRCS Web site at www.de.nrcs.usda.gov/programs. 

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Last Modified:  04/30/2007 11:06:32 AM