USDA-NRCS in Georgia announces Environmental Quality Incentives Program Sign-Up

State Conservationist Terrance O. Rudolph of the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today the statewide cutoff for fiscal year 2021 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding. All Georgia agricultural producers and landowners who wish to be considered for this year’s technical and financial assistance should apply by November 20, 2020.  While customers can apply year round, this application cutoff announcement is for all general EQIP and special initiatives such as the Longleaf Pine, On-Farm Energy, Organic, Seasonal High Tunnel and the Working Lands for Wildlife. Customers should discuss these signup options with your local conservationist to see if any are right for them.  “Every year, NRCS helps Georgia’s farmers, ranchers, and private landowners make the best use of their land and natural resources,” said Rudolph. “EQIP is one of the most helpful tools we have to help producers achieve conservation success and I hope everyone who is interested will apply.”  NRCS conservationists work with producers to assess the conservation needs on their land to identify concerns and opportunities, help determine objectives, and recommend solutions.  EQIP was originally established under the 1996 Farm Bill and reauthorized in the 2018 Farm Bill. Assistance is available to help producers and landowners plan and implement conservation practices to improve water quantity use and quality, build healthier soil, improve grazing and forest lands, conserve energy, enhance organic operations, establish or improve wildlife habitat. These efforts provide many environmental benefits on cropland, pasture, forestland, and associated agricultural land, including animal feeding operations.  NRCS wants to remind historically underserved producers of the advanced payment option if they are approved for funding through EQIP. This option allows these producers to get conservation practice payments in advance of the practice implementation.

A historically underserved producer is described as one of the below:

• Beginning Farmer or Rancher – is new to farming or ranching, or, has operated a farm or ranch for less than 10-consecutive years.
• Socially Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher – is a member of a group whose members have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as members of that group without regard to their individual qualities.
• Veteran Farmer or Rancher – has served in the armed forces and has not operated a farm or ranch, has operated a farm or ranch for less than 10-consecutive years, or first obtained veteran status during the last 10 years.
• Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher – has a household income at or below the national poverty level. Eligibility can be determined by using this online tool.

Under the advance payment option, such producers may request payments when they have final designs and job sheets and are ready to begin their EQIP practices. Advance payments provide at least 50 percent of the payment rate for each practice. The funds must be spent within 90 days of receipt and practices must be completed as agreed to in an EQIP plan of operations. Producers also may opt to have NRCS pay the contractors or vendors directly.