MONROE - The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service announced that farmers interested in new farmland conservation practices must apply by Friday, Jan. 18 to be considered for 2013 funding.
The Environmental Quality Incentives program is the primary program available to farmers for farmland conservation work, offering flat-rate payments for more than 80 conservation practices.
"EQIP can help all types of farmers - livestock and dairy, grazing, or cash crop, including specialty crops, organic, and agro-forestry," said Jason Thomas, district conservationist for Green County.
All eligible applications received by Jan. 18 will be evaluated and ranked for funding. Farmers can sign up at the NRCS office in USDA Service Centers statewide.
Special opportunities are also now open for On-Farm Energy, Organic, and Seasonal High Tunnel conservation practices. All three initiatives offer technical and financial assistance. All applications must be received by Jan. 18 to be considered for funding in 2013.
n On-Farm Energy initiative: NRCS and producers develop Agricultural Energy Management Plans or farm energy audits that assess energy consumption on an operation. Audit data is used to develop energy conservation recommendations. The Landscape AgEMP assesses equipment and farming processes. The farm headquarters AgEMP assesses power usage and efficiency in livestock buildings, grain handling operations, and similar facilities to support the farm operation. Examples of energy conserving practices available include crop rotation, legume cover crop and no-till planting.
n Organic initiative: NRCS helps certified organic growers and producers working to achieve organic certification install conservation practices to address resource concerns on organic operations. A wide range of practices are available in this initiative.
n Seasonal High Tunnel Pilot initiative: NRCS helps producers plan and implement high tunnels, steel-framed, polyethylene-covered structures that extend growing seasons in an environmentally safe manner. High tunnel benefits include better plant and soil quality, fewer nutrients and pesticides in the environment, and better air quality due to fewer vehicles being needed to transport crops. Supporting conservation practices such as grassed waterways, and diversions are available to address resource concerns on operations with Seasonal High Tunnel structures.
More information is available at visit www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov or by contact the NRCS office, 1627 4th Avenue West, at (608) 325-4195 ext. 3.
The Environmental Quality Incentives program is the primary program available to farmers for farmland conservation work, offering flat-rate payments for more than 80 conservation practices.
"EQIP can help all types of farmers - livestock and dairy, grazing, or cash crop, including specialty crops, organic, and agro-forestry," said Jason Thomas, district conservationist for Green County.
All eligible applications received by Jan. 18 will be evaluated and ranked for funding. Farmers can sign up at the NRCS office in USDA Service Centers statewide.
Special opportunities are also now open for On-Farm Energy, Organic, and Seasonal High Tunnel conservation practices. All three initiatives offer technical and financial assistance. All applications must be received by Jan. 18 to be considered for funding in 2013.
n On-Farm Energy initiative: NRCS and producers develop Agricultural Energy Management Plans or farm energy audits that assess energy consumption on an operation. Audit data is used to develop energy conservation recommendations. The Landscape AgEMP assesses equipment and farming processes. The farm headquarters AgEMP assesses power usage and efficiency in livestock buildings, grain handling operations, and similar facilities to support the farm operation. Examples of energy conserving practices available include crop rotation, legume cover crop and no-till planting.
n Organic initiative: NRCS helps certified organic growers and producers working to achieve organic certification install conservation practices to address resource concerns on organic operations. A wide range of practices are available in this initiative.
n Seasonal High Tunnel Pilot initiative: NRCS helps producers plan and implement high tunnels, steel-framed, polyethylene-covered structures that extend growing seasons in an environmentally safe manner. High tunnel benefits include better plant and soil quality, fewer nutrients and pesticides in the environment, and better air quality due to fewer vehicles being needed to transport crops. Supporting conservation practices such as grassed waterways, and diversions are available to address resource concerns on operations with Seasonal High Tunnel structures.
More information is available at visit www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov or by contact the NRCS office, 1627 4th Avenue West, at (608) 325-4195 ext. 3.