JACKSON — Mississippi’s USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service State Conservationist Kurt Readus announced the statewide deadline for the first application period of fiscal year 2020 Environmental Quality Incentives Program funding. While customers can apply year-round, this application deadline is for all general EQIP as well as some special initiatives. All Mississippi agricultural producers and landowners who wish to be considered for EQIP technical and financial assistance in the first ranking period should apply by March 6, 2020.
NRCS conservationists work with producers to assess the conservation needs on their land to identify resource concerns and opportunities, help determine objectives, and recommend solutions.
EQIP was initially established under the 1996 Farm Bill and reauthorized in the 2018 Farm Bill.
Assistance is available to help producers and landowners plan and implement conservation practices to improve water quantity and quality, build healthier soil, improve grazing and forest lands, conserve energy, enhance organic operations, establish or improve wildlife habitat and achieve other environmental benefits on cropland and pasture, forestland, and associated agricultural land including farmsteads.
Popular practices include those that increase efficient use of agricultural water, manure, handling and storage systems, such as waste storage structures; soil health improvement, such as cover crops and no-till; pasture improvement, such as prescribed grazing and watering systems; forest improvement, such as forest stand improvement; and habitat improvement, such as early successional habitat management.
Interested producers can apply at their local USDA Service Center by submitting a Conservation Program Application (NRCS-CPA-1200).
