COLUMBIA — The Missouri USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced November 18, 2022, as the cut-off date to apply for Fiscal Year 2023 funds through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP).
EQIP allows farmers, ranchers, forestland managers and landowners an opportunity to conserve natural resources by making available financial assistance to improve soil, water, air, plants, animals, and related resources.
“EQIP allows producers the opportunity to apply for financial assistance to address resource concern on their land,” State Conservationist Scott Edwards said.
Soil Health will be a priority again in Fiscal Year 2023. Along with helping row crop farmers increase organic matter and water-holding capacity, funding will be available for farmers and ranchers to incorporate pasture and hay land practices that improve soil health and resiliency to drought. Funding will also be available to address resource concerns through Agroforestry.
The November 18, 2022, application deadline also applies to the following initiatives:
Soil Health Cropland Initiative- This initiative is focused on assisting cropland producers address resource concerns associated with soil quality degradation to implement Soil Health Management Systems on their farms.
High Tunnel Initiative- This initiative is to assist producers to extend the growing season for high value crops in an environmentally safe manner. The practice has the potential to assist producers to address resource concerns by improving plant quality, improving soil quality, and reducing nutrient and pesticide transport.
Agroforestry Initiative- This initiative is focused on assisting farmers addressing resource concerns with Agroforestry practices. Agroforestry practices include: Tree/Shrub Establishment, Alley Cropping, Windbreak/Shelterbelt, Silvopasture Establishment, Riparian Forest Buffer and more.
Organic Initiative – This initiative assists eligible applicants to install conservation practices on agricultural operations related to organic production such as certified organic producers, producers transitioning to organic production, and certification exempt producers according to the USDA-National Organic Program.
Small Scale Crop and Livestock Agriculture – This initiative assists eligible applicants in either rural, suburban, or urban areas to address resource concerns on operations producing specialty crops and/or livestock where production is on a total of 20 acres or less.
On-Farm Energy Initiative- This initiative assists producers by identifying ways to conserve energy on the farm through an Agricultural Energy Management Plan (AgEMP), also known as an on-farm energy audit; and by providing financial and technical assistance to help the producer implement recommendations and conservation practices identified in the audit plan.
National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI)- This national initiative is a focused approach to assist landowners in priority watersheds to apply selected conservation practices to reduce the flow of sediment, nutrients and other runoff into impaired waterways. The FY23 priority watersheds are: Upper Petite Saline in Cooper County, HUC 103001020403; Middle Petite Saline in Cooper County, HUC 103001020405; Little Hunting Slough in Butler County, HUC 110100070805; Sugar Creek-East Fork Little Chariton River in Randolph County, HUC 102802030204; Capps Creek in Barry and Newton Counties, HUC 110702070703; Zerbert Branch-Shoal Creek in Barry and Newton Counties, HUC 110702070706; Spencer Branch-Shoal Creek in Newton County, HUC 110702070801; and Dry Branch-Shoal Creek in Newton County, HUC 110702070803.
Mississippi River Basin Initiative (MRBI)- This national initiative focuses on implementing conservation practices that improve water quality, restore wetlands, enhance wildlife habitat, and sustain agricultural profitability in the Mississippi River Basin. The FY23 MRBI focused watersheds in Missouri are: Upper Apple Creek (HUC 071401050401), Middle Apple Creek (HUC 071401050403) and Lower Apple Creek (HUC 071401050404 in Perry, Cape Girardeau, and Bollinger Counties; Spring Branch-Elk Creek (HUC 102801031302) and Turkey Creek (HUC 102801031301) and Long Branch (HUC 102801031204) in Linn, Sullivan and Chariton Counties; Cane Creek-Diversion Channel (HUC 071401070404) and Dry Creek (HUC 071401070406) in Bollinger and Cape Girardeau Counties; Headwaters Indian Creek (HUC 071100080201), Sandy Fork-West Fork Cuivre River (HUC 071100080105) and Coon Creek (HUC 071100080104) in Ralls, Pike, Audrain and Montgomery Counties; and Mozingo Creek (HUC 102400130303) in Nodaway County; Fox River (HUC 71100010306) and Brush Creek-Fox River (HUC 71100010301) in Clark County.
NRCS accepts applications for all its programs on a continuous basis, but application must be filed for these programs by November 18, 2022, to be eligible for the next round of funding. Farmers can submit applications at local NRCS offices. NRCS also offers free technical assistance to all Missouri residents.