USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Announces Deadline for First Farm Bill Application Ranking Cutoff for FY 2007
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced a deadline
of October 13, 2006 for receiving signed applications in order for applicants
to be eligible for Farm Bill Program funding for fiscal year 2007. Although
applications are accepted on a continuous basis for the Environmental
Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program
(WHIP) and the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), application ranking cutoff
deadlines are announced periodically, and all applications received by
that date are considered for funding. October 13, 2006 is the next
application ranking cutoff deadline. Applications received after
this date will not be considered for funding in fiscal year 2007 unless
additional funds become available and another ranking cutoff date is
announced.
Forest landowners are encouraged to call or visit their local USDA service
center to schedule
a time to complete the necessary paperwork for program eligibility
and develop or update their conservation plans.
Cost-share funding is available through voluntary conservation programs
authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill. Through these programs, landowners
may receive a percentage of installation costs for conservation practices. All
Farm Bill Programs have specific producer, land, and practice eligibility
criteria that must be met. Following programs subject to the October
13, 2006 deadline:
- Environmental
Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) – EQIP helps
producers protect environmental quality and maintain agricultural
production on New Hampshire’s privately owned lands by addressing
such concerns as erosion control, animal waste management, including
comprehensive nutrient management planning, prescribed grazing,
irrigation efficiency, wildlife habitat loss, and forest health.
- Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) – WHIP provides assistance to landowners, including units of government, who want to address such concerns as loss of critical fish and wildlife habitat, control of invasive species, and restoration of degraded natural ecosystems.
Posted August, 2006
