The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service-PA is accepting applications to help producers improve water and air quality, build healthier soil, improve grazing and forest lands, conserve energy, enhance organic operations, and achieve other environmental benefits.

NRCS will be able to provide funding assistance directly to Pennsylvania farmers and landowners in Fiscal Year 2015 to help them implement conservation practices through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the agency’s largest Farm Bill conservation program, the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) program, and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Interested producers should visit their local NRCS service center for sign-up information.

The deadline to submit applications to be considered in the second ranking period for funding consideration in Pennsylvania for EQIP and AMA is December 19. Applications received after that date will be accepted and considered for funding in the third ranking on February 20, 2015, if funds remain. Applications are being accepted continuously for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). A cutoff date to be included in the first round evaluation of CSP applications has not yet been announced. Producers are encouraged to apply now for CSP rather than waiting for a cutoff date to be announced.

“USDA conservation programs offer farmers and forestland managers a variety of options to conserve natural resources while boosting production on their lands,” State Conservationist Denise Coleman said. “This conservation investment helps improve environmental health and the economy of Pennsylvania’s rural communities.”

EQIP and AMA provide financial assistance for a variety of conservation activities, such as nutrient management, reduced tillage, field buffers, rotational grazing systems and much more. CSP provides funding to help producers implement a variety of improved or advanced management enhancements on cropland, pasture and forestland.

Additionally, NRCS offers special initiatives through EQIP, including:

-- On-Farm Energy Initiative: helps producers conserve energy on their operations.

-- Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative: helps producers install high tunnels designed to extend the growing season into the cold months, increase productivity, keep plants at a steady temperature and conserve water and energy.

-- Organic Initiative: helps producers to install conservation practices on certified organic operations or those working toward organic certification.

To participate in USDA conservation programs, applicants should be farmers or farm or forest landowners and must meet eligibility criteria.

To take advantage of NRCS technical assistance and expertise or federally funded conservation on your farm or land, please contact your local USDA NRCS Field Office, or visit the NRCS-PA webpage for applications and program information.

11/17/2014