Arkansas Online

Deadline near for farm program sign-up

Now is the time for Arkansas producers to apply for cost-share assistance funded through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) for the 2022 program year, said Kandi Williams.

Williams is an Extension program aide for the Small Farm Program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The deadline to apply is Nov. 19.

According to an NRCS press release, the agency accepts program applications on a continuous basis but sets dates to batch and rank applications as funding allows. Farmers and landowners in Arkansas who submit applications to their local NRCS office by Nov. 19 will be considered for the current round of funding. Applications received after that date will be considered in later funding periods depending on funding availability.

“EQIP financial assistance allows producers to install conservation practices in areas such as improving irrigation efficiency, promoting soil health or restoring pastureland on their farm or ranch,” Williams said. “Other practices include establishing or improving wildlife habitat, enhancing organic operations and conserving energy.”

Williams said EQIP often shares up to 90% of the average cost for conservation practices implemented by socially disadvantaged, limited resource, beginning and veteran farmers and ranchers. These producers are also eligible to receive up to 50% advance payment for purchasing materials or contracting services to begin the installation of approved conservation practices.

“Payments are made after conservation practices and activities identified in an EQIP-approved contract and plan are implemented to NRCS standards,” she said.

Williams said some farmers may be reluctant when they understand that EQIP is a reimbursement program. But they don’t need to worry.

“If a farmer is growing vegetables and pays $10,000 to have a well or pumping plant installed, NRCS will send an agent out to inspect the practice,” she said. “If it meets standards and specifications, NRCS will pay up to 90% of the average cost.”

NRCS also offers special initiatives, one of which is the StrikeForce Healthy Forest/UAPB Keeping it in the Family Program, for which Williams is coordinator. The program offers additional funding to help underserved producers improve their forestland through forest conservation practices.

This initiative is available to producers in the following counties: Bradley, Calhoun, Clark, Cleveland, Columbia, Dallas, Drew, Hempstead, Howard, Jefferson, Lafayette, Little River, Miller, Nevada, Ouachita, Pike, Sevier and Union.

Producers can pick up and submit an EQIP application at their local NRCS office. The application form is also available online at www.nrcs. usda.gov.

UAPB Small Farm Program Extension personnel can assist participants in filling out applications and selecting practices to apply for if needed. Producers can contact Karen Lee at leek@ uapb.edu or (870) 575-7225 for assistance.

Opinion

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2021-10-25T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-10-25T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://edition.arkansasonline.com/article/282428467394278

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