Sign up for the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) are right around the corner.
EQIP gives landowners technical and financial assistance for practices that address natural resource concerns. CSP helps landowners build on their existing conservation practices throughout the five-year contract. Implementing EQIP and CSP practices can improve our water and air quality, soil health, and wildlife habitat. Farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who own or rent land are eligible to apply for these programs. In our area, common activities in private lands include erosion control and streambank protection, forest management plans, brush management, forest stand improvement, pollinator habitat and tree and shrub plantings. Activities on farms often include nutrient management, cover crops, buffer strips, chemical and fuel storage facilities, livestock fencing, livestock watering facilities, pasture improvements and more.
NRCS and the Conservation District are here to help you identify your resource concerns and develop a conservation plan to address them. NRCS is currently taking applications for fiscal year 2021 EQIP and CSP sign up period, which is expected to start at the beginning of 2021.
Visit the NRCS website for more information or contact our NRCS District Conservationist Seth Earl (231)757-3707 Ext. 3 or Conservation Technician Jerry Kass (231)757-3707 Ext. 110 to apply today.
