MONROE — Farmers and forest landowners will want to plan ahead and sign up early for USDA conservation funding. Jason Thomas, USDA−Natural Resources Conservation Service District Conservationist in Monroe, announced farmers and forest landowners interested in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program need to apply by Nov. 16 for funding in 2019.
Applications are being taken at 1627 4th Avenue West, Monroe.
EQIP is the primary program available to farmers for conservation work, offering payments for over 110 basic conservation practices. Practices range from agronomy practices such as cover crops or nutrient management plans to forest and stream habitat improvement and engineering practices such as waterways and manure storage. Last year, Wisconsin received over $35 million in funds for EQIP practices.
EQIP has been in high demand with Green County farmers who are interested in conservation activities. Green County farmers implemented over 80 conservation practices in 2018, more than any other county in the state. Therefore, the Green County Land and Water Conservation Department recently hired Tyler Newcomer, through grant funding, to assist farmers specifically with EQIP. Tyler is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a degree in agricultural business and a minor in soil and crop science.
All eligible applications received by Nov. 16 will be evaluated, prioritized and ranked for funding in 2019. Farmers may contact their local USDA Service Center to get started on producer eligibility and planning. Thomas reminds farmers who are interested in practices that may require permits, such as manure storage or streambank restoration, to begin planning and seeking permits as soon as possible. Applicants with designs completed and permit applications submitted will receive higher priority.
Special sign-up opportunities are also now open for Farmstead, Cropland, Pasture, Forestland, Organic, and Soil Health initiatives. All offer technical and financial assistance through EQIP.
Farmstead: NRCS helps livestock producers improve nutrient handling and clean water separation by implementing practices supporting manure storage, feedlot and barnyard runoff, and clean water diversion. This special opportunity also provides technical and financial assistance for roofs and covers placed over, for example, open cattle lots.
Organic: NRCS helps certified organic growers and producers, working to achieve organic certification, install conservation practices to address resource concerns on organic operations.
Honey Bee: The upper Midwest is the resting ground for over 65 percent of commercially managed honey bees in the country. The NRCS is helping farmers and landowners implement conservation practices that will provide safe and diverse food sources for honey bees. Pasture management, wildlife habitat, and appropriate cover crops are used as tools to improve the health of our honey bees, which support more than $15 billion worth of agricultural production.
Soil Health Initiative: Soil is a living and life-giving natural resource. By farming using soil health principles and systems that include cover cropping and diverse rotations, more and more farmers are increasing their soil’s organic matter and improving soil microbial activity.
Landowners interested in applying for EQIP funding should contact the local NRCS office in Monroe at 608-325-4195. For more information, visit www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov.
