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Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program is a voluntary, cost share conservation program that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality. Through EQIP, farmers and landowners may receive financial and technical help to install or implement structural and management conservation practices on eligible land. A resource concern must exist to be eligible for EQIP. Conservation practices include precision ag, cover crops, pasture/hay planting, wells, fencing etc. Many other practices are available to improve conservation on private lands. EQIP will pay up to 50 percent of the cost of eligible conservation practices.. A point system is used to rank applications and the highest scoring applications that treat the most resource concerns are selected for funding.
Details about signup, eligible practices and cost share rates are announced each year. NRCS evaluates each application, with higher priorities given to applications that use cost-effective conservation practices, address local priorities and provide the most environmental benefit.
The Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Local Working Group or the Farm Service Agency determines eligible producers for the EQIP program. Any farmer engaged in livestock or crop production on eligible land may apply for EQIP. EQIP contracts may be for a tract, farm or multiple farms. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pasture, private non-industrial forestland, and other farm or ranch lands, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.
Small Scale Farmer Assistance
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) offers assistance to small scale farmers and landowners who have historically not participated in nor ever ranked high enough to be selected for an EQIP contract. Small farmers often do not have the resources or size to compete with larger operations and therefore do not score high enough in the competitive ranking process to qualify for the program.
The purpose of this category is to improve technical service and program participation in all USDA programs through improved outreach efforts to small scale and limited resource farmers. NRCS must be innovative in allowing small farmers to select practices that are best suited for their particular operations while at the same time low enough in cost to be effective and practical for small farms to implement and maintain.
Three of the Small Scale Farmer Guidelines are listed below · All Small Scale farmer funds will be used to help small farmers with a state average of 197 acres or less per operation; Acres can be any combination of cropland and/or grassland, wooded areas. · Applicants must not have participated in NRCS programs for the past 10 years with the exception of the 2005 Small Farmer Initiative. · The income limit for eligibility will be $63,000 adjusted gross family income based on the last 2 years of income tax returns.
Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)
The Wetlands Reserve Program is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial support to help landowners with their wetland restoration efforts. The NRCS goal is to achieve the greatest wetland functions and values, along with optimum wildlife habitat, on every acre enrolled in the program. This program offers landowners an opportunity to establish long-term conservation and wildlife practices and protection. Applications are ranked and selected based on habitat type and the level of restoration possible. Easement values are determined by appraisal of the property after selection of the application for funding.
For additional information regarding the Wetlands Reserve Program follow this link.
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)
The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program is a voluntary program that encourages implementation of conservation practices that improve wildlife habitat. Conservation practices include prescribed burning, firebreaks, forest openings and early successional mgt of vegetation. The program helps landowners develop habitat for upland wildlife, threatened and endangered species, fish, and other wildlife in South Carolina. The bobwhite quail, wintering waterfowl and shorebird habitat, and threatened and endangered plant and animal species have been identified as the “priority conservation concern” in the state. Cost share for installing conservation practices is based on 75% of the state average cost. A ranking system is used to determine the before and after benefits of implementing a conservation plan and its effect on wildlife habitat. Highest ranking applications are selected for funding.
For additional information regarding the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program follow this link.
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) provides technical and financial assistance to eligible farmers and ranchers to address soil, water, and related natural resource concerns on their lands in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner. The program provides assistance to farmers and ranchers in complying with Federal, State, and tribal environmental laws, and encourages environmental enhancement. The program is funded through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). CRP is administered by the Farm Service Agency, with NRCS providing technical land eligibility determinations, conservation planning and practice implementation.
The Conservation Reserve Program reduces soil erosion, protects the Nation's ability to produce food and fiber, reduces sedimentation in streams and lakes, improves water quality, establishes wildlife habitat, and enhances forest and wetland resources. It encourages farmers to convert highly erodible cropland or other environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover, such as tame or native grasses, wildlife plantings, trees, filterstrips, or riparian buffers. Farmers receive an annual rental payment for the term of the multi-year contract. Cost sharing is provided to establish the vegetative cover practices.
Earth Team
In recognition of the interest and skills many Americans have in conservation, Congress passed legislation in 1981 permitting the NRCS to use volunteers. In 1985, the volunteer effort was organized as the Earth Team, primarily due to the Farm Bill and the increased workload of NRCS. The primary purpose of the Earth Team is to expand NRCS services by using volunteer time, talent and energy to help accomplish the NRCS mission. The Natural Resource Conservation Service needs volunteers who are willing to commit their time and talent to conserving and protecting soil, water, and wildlife for their community and everyone in it. Volunteers are permitted to perform a wide range of activities to carry out programs of, or supported by, the United States Department of Agriculture. Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age or older. Acceptable activities include, but are not limited to: (1) Environmental/conservation education including outdoor classrooms; (2) Water quality testing or monitoring; (3) Planting of vegetative material; (4) Marketing, promotion and information; (5) Tours and demonstrations; (6) Resource Conservation and Development and conservation district projects/activities that carry out programs of, or in support of, the United States Department of Agriculture; and (7) Other activities in support of the NRCS mission.
The Earth Team may be the perfect volunteering opportunity for you. If you are interested in becoming an Earth Team Volunteer, stop by the office at 9-B West Rigby Street and fill out a volunteer application. You may also go to the NRCS webpage link below for an application and additional information.
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/volunteers/
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The Manning Field Office is currently accepting conservation program applications for 2009 funding. The deadline to apply for 2009 funding is October 1, 2008. The office will begin processing applications after that date. Funding selections for applications will be announced the 1st quarter of 2009. |
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"The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer." |