EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentive Program) Project Ranking Begins
The Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  EQIP provides technical and financial assistance to assist crop, livestock, and other agricultural producers for eligible environmental and conservation practices.  Incentive payments may be made to encourage a farmer to adopt land management practices.  This program offers the opportunity to implement traditional approaches but also to use less traditional, alternative practices to protect our soil, water and related resources. 

Examples of EQIP Practices:
*Waste Storage Facilities
*Nutrient/Manure Management
*Residue & tillage Management
*Prescribed Grazing
*Terraces and Waterways
*Field Windbreaks
*Wetland Restorations
*Roof Runoff Structures
*Water and Sediment Control Basins
*Well Sealing
*Seasonal High Tunnel System for crops
     and MANY more.......

Sign up TODAY!
Application deadline dates are:
Period 1 January 27, 2012
Period 2 March 23, 2012
Period 3 May 25, 2012
*Note Periods 2 and 3 are subject to be eliminated based upon available funding.

Call to schedule a meeting with your local NRCS staff 320-968 5300 X3

 

CSP (Conservation Stewardship Program) Project Ranking Begins

On December 9, 2011 USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced that the ranking period cut-off date for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is January 13, 2012. Producers interested in CSP should submit applications to their local NRCS office by the deadline so that their applications can be considered during the first ranking period of 2012.

“CSP is one of our most popular conservation programs, and we expect to receive many applications,” NRCS Chief Dave White said. “I encourage all farmers and ranchers who are interested in applying to contact their local NRCS office as soon as possible so they can meet the deadline.”

CSP is offered in all 50 states, and the Pacific and Caribbean areas through continuous sign-ups. The program provides many conservation benefits including improvement of water and soil quality, wildlife habitat enhancements and adoption of conservation activities that address the effects of climate change. Eligible lands include cropland, pastureland, rangeland, nonindustrial private forest land and agricultural land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe.

A CSP self-screening checklist is available to help potential applicants determine if CSP is suitable for their operation. The checklist highlights basic information about CSP eligibility requirements, contract obligations and potential payments. It is available from local NRCS offices and on the CSP Web page (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/csp).

As part of the CSP application process, applicants will work with NRCS field personnel to complete the resource inventory using a Conservation Measurement Tool (CMT). The CMT determines the conservation performance for existing and new conservation activities.  The applicant’s conservation performance will be used to determine eligibility, ranking and payments.

In 2010 alone, nearly 21,000 applicants enrolled in CSP, putting additional conservation on 25.2 million acres, about the size of the state of Kentucky, to improve water and soil quality, enhance wildlife habitat and address the effects of climate change.

To find out more about CSP in Minnesota, contact your local NRCS field office or visit the MN NRCS website: http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov 

Sign up TODAY!
Application deadline is:
January 27, 2012

Call to schedule a meeting with your local NRCS staff 320-968 5300 X3