NRCS Offers Aid for Transition to Organic Production

NRCS Offers Aid for Transition to Organic Production

October 26, 2007

EQIP Deadline Dec. 14

December 14 is the deadline for cost-share applications to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). EQIP is a voluntary conservation program.

Through EQIP, farmers and ranchers may receive financial and technical help with conservation practices on agricultural land. In 2007, over 1,700 EQIP contracts were written in Nebraska. Histrocial EQIP cost share dollars went to conventional farming practices; however this year's sign-up also offers an opportunity for Nebraska landowners wanting to convert to organic agriculture.

EQIP will provide an incentive payment ranging from $30 to $70 per acre for the conversion from a conventional cropping system to an organic cropping system. The cost share rate depends on the location and whether the cropland is dryland or irrigated. Cost share dollars also are available to aid with the transition to an organic grazing system. That incentive payment is $10 per acre statewide. EQIP also provides cost share funds to install many other conservation practices like a planned grazing system, which may include range seeding, cross fence, watering systems and pipeline.

EQIP funds are to provide a financial incentive to encourage landowners to protect their natural resources, resulting in cleaner air, water, and more wildlife habitat. EQIP has become the most widely applied conservation program on private lands with more than 5.9 million acres under contract in Nebraska.

People interested in applying for EQIP cost-share funds should contact their local NRCS office. For more information about this and other opportunities, visit the NRCS program Web site.

Liz Sarno, Extension Educator
UNL Organic Project Coordinator
Haskell Agriculture Laboratory, Concord

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