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EQIP Cutoff Date Announced by NRCSSalina, Kansas, September 12, 2007—The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced Friday, November 2, 2007, as the cutoff date for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) applications to be considered for Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 funding. EQIP—one of the largest programs in the 2002 Farm Bill—is a voluntary conservation program that promotes environmental quality and assists producers to meet local, state, and federal regulations. New EQIP Self-Assessment WorksheetsWhen farmers or ranchers apply for 2008 EQIP funding, they will be required to fill out the Kansas EQIP Self-Assessment Worksheet. "If they plan to apply, they should start the process very soon if they haven't done so already," emphasized Klaege. "The self-assessment worksheet is an educational tool," he explained, "providing landowners with a clear indication of what natural resource concerns they have, what they can accomplish, and what they need to do to qualify for the program. "We see the worksheets as a time-saving and money-saving tool," said Klaege. "We envision them reducing the time it takes NRCS to process applications for EQIP. By reducing the federal dollars required to administer the program, more dollars should be available for producers." Limited Resource and Beginning Farmers and RanchersEQIP is available to help address the unique circumstances and concerns of limited resource and beginning farmers and ranchers, who have natural resource concerns that need to be addressed on their land," said Klaege. "In Kansas limited resource and beginning farmers and ranchers may receive a higher payment rate through EQIP for structural and vegetative practices." Kansas Identifies Priority Natural Resource ConcernsThe FY 2008 Kansas EQIP eligible priority natural resource concerns are as follows:
Cutoff Date Set to Evaluate EQIP Applications"After November 2, 2007, NRCS staff will begin evaluating applications received in Kansas. All contracts will be signed and obligated with producers by January 25, 2008," explained Klaege. The NRCS will evaluate each application and give higher priority to those applications that use cost-effective conservation practices; treat multiple resource concerns; address national, state, or local priorities; and provide the most environmental benefits. Review of EQIP FY 2007 FundingKansas received over $23.9 million in FY 2007, and over 1,600 contracts were funded. More than 2,900 applications were received. In Kansas, EQIP funds will help farmers and ranchers install conservation practices that improve and protect Kansas's priority natural resource concerns. "The objective of EQIP is to address natural resource concerns through the application of improved conservation systems. EQIP is an environmental enhancement program," said Klaege. Apply at Local NRCS OfficeAgricultural producers interested in participating in EQIP can apply at any time at their U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Service Center at their local NRCS office. Information about 2008 EQIP is available on the Kansas NRCS Web site or at your local USDA Service Center from the NRCS or conservation district staff. This will include information about 2008 EQIP—Kansas EQIP fact sheet; the Kansas EQIP Self-Assessment Worksheets; an application form; a list of eligible practices and payment rates; and specifics on Kansas's ranking process, including criteria used to evaluate applications. ReminderIf your local county NRCS field office (FO) was consolidated with another FO, contact that office. Consolidated FOs and phone numbers are as follows:
Last Modified: 06/27/2008 |
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