February 17 Funding Cutoff Quickly Approaching for Popular NRCS Conservation Programs

Syracuse, January 25, 2012 - New York farmers and landowners have until February 17, 2012 to apply for 2012 conservation program funding. The programs falling within this deadline include the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative (CBWI), and the Agricultural Management Assistance Program (AMA). Applications are competitive and ranked based on national, state, and locally identified resource priorities, and their overall benefit to the environment.

“We are pleased to offer New York farmers and landowners voluntary opportunities to address concerns related to soil, energy, water, air, plants, and animals through a variety of Farm Bill conservation programs,” said NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Programs Tammy Willis. “Each year, more than 1,000 farmers or landowners work with NRCS New York employees to ensure cleaner water, productive soils and improved grasslands.”

If you are interested in applying for conservation program, see the information below, and visit your local USDA-NRCS office.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): offers financial assistance in the form of engineered structures, such as manure handling facilities, and conservation practices such as grassed waterways. Focus areas within the EQIP program include livestock waste, cropland, and grazing. If you are new to EQIP, visit our Eligibility web page to see if you qualify.

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative (CBWI): assists producers to help minimize excess nutrients and sediments in order to restore, preserve, and protect the Chesapeake Bay. In New York, the Bay program offers funding and technical assistance to producers in the priority areas of the Upper Susquehanna Watershed.

Agricultural Management Assistance Program (AMA): focuses on improving irrigation efficiency through micro-irrigation. A primary goal of the program is to assist agricultural producers in mitigating risk through production diversification.