EAST LANSING –
Oct. 23, 2007 – Michigan farmers seeking U.S. Department of Agriculture
financial assistance in installing conservation measures are encouraged to
contact their local USDA office soon.
The USDA
Natural Resources Conservation Service will begin selecting recipients for
funding through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program in November. EQIP
provides financial incentives and cost-sharing for producers to install or
implement structural and management conservation practices on eligible
agricultural land.
“I am pleased
that we can make these funds available to farmers before a final Farm Bill is
approved. This will allow producers to move ahead with their conservation
planning instead of waiting for passage of the new Farm Bill,” said Garry Lee,
state conservationist for NRCS.
NRCS will begin
selecting recipients for fiscal year 2008 EQIP contracts on November 15. To be
considered for funding in 2008, producers must have a completed EQIP application
on file prior to the selection dates. The final selection for 2008 EQIP
contracts will be held on December 13. Over $12.8 million in EQIP funds will be
available.
During 2006,
435 EQIP contracts were awarded to Michigan producers. About 60 percent of the
funds were used for livestock-related practices with an increasing amount going
to specialty crop producers, said Brian MacMaster, Michigan EQIP coordinator.
EQIP can provide up to 75 percent cost-share for installing specified
conservation practices such as animal waste storage facilities and agrichemical
containment facilities. The program also provides incentive payments for
conservation practices such as conservation tillage and pest management.
Farmers with
livestock operations who have not completed a comprehensive nutrient management
plan can receive financial assistance through EQIP. Stand-alone applications
solely for financial assistance with developing a CNMP will be funded
independently from other EQIP applications while funds are available. EQIP funds
can be used for developing a CNMP with assistance from NRCS or from an approved
Technical Service Provider.
Applications
for EQIP are accepted on a continual basis. Farmers who have already completed
an application do not need to apply again but they will need to update their
current applications. New applicants need to complete a conservation plan before
applying for EQIP.
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