Deadline for popular conservation program nears

Agricultural producers have until Dec. 2, 2011, to apply for financial and technical assistance through Washington’s most popular conservation program, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced recently.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary, technical and financial assistance program designed to help farmers improve irrigation efficiency; manage nutrient run-off and/or animal waste; improve the health of native plant communities; and reduce soil loss. In most instances, producers who participate in the program pay for roughly half of the costs of the conservation measures or practices.

The December 2 signup deadline is for Washington’s general EQIP funding. According to the NRCS, there will be additional ranking deadlines later in the year for some of the EQIP special initiatives such as funding specifically for Organic Producers, funding for Conservation Activity Plans and possibly others.

“EQIP has become NRCS’ primary program to provide conservation assistance to producers on Washington’s working lands,” acting Assistant State Conservationist Lacey Gaw said, “Applicants who want to be considered for a fiscal year 2012 EQIP contract will need to have a signed application on file by Dec. 2, 2011.”

Based on an estimate of funding availability, selected applicants will work with NRCS staff to develop conservation plans that serve as the basis for their EQIP contracts.

In 2011, Washington agricultural producers qualified for more than $12 million in financial assistance through the program, according to the NRCS.

Gaw said, “that while NRCS programs operate on a year-round signup basis, and producers can file applications at any time, periodic ranking deadlines are established so applications on file at that time can be evaluated for the next available funding allocation.”

Interested agricultural producers are encouraged to contact their local USDA service center office or check the agency’s website at www.wa.nrcs.usda.gov for more information.