USDA-NRCS-CO: Colorado Ag Landowners are Encouraged to Apply for Conservation Funding
Denver, CO: USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Colorado is still accepting applications for enrollment into the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Producers interested in implementing conservation practices to improve natural resources on their private agricultural land are encouraged to contact their local NRCS field office today. Applications MUST be submitted by 4:00pm on Friday, January 8, 2021.
EQIP is a voluntary Farm Bill program that helps agricultural producers make conservation work for them. Through EQIP, agricultural producers receive financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices that optimize environmental benefits on working agricultural land.
The opportunities to participate in EQIP are diverse. There are specific opportunities for socially disadvantaged, new and beginning farmers, landowners impacted by the 2020 wildfires and salinity, and those with interests in organics, improving wildlife habitat, forest health and so much more. See Colorado’s 2021 EQIP funding opportunities listed below:
- Organic New & Transitioning, available statewide.
- On-Farm Energy, available statewide.
- High Tunnel, available statewide.
- National Water Quality Initiative, Limestone-Graveyard Creek area.
- Ute Tribal Conservation Projects, available on tribal lands.
- CO Joint Chiefs-N Front Range Collaboration, available in areas serviced by Denver, Longmont, Fort Collins, and Greeley Offices.
- Sage Grouse Initiative, available in sage grouse habitat.
- Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, available in Southwestern Willow Flycatcher habitat.
- WaterSMART, available in Florida Ditch project area.
- Lesser Prairie-Chicken Initiative, available in Lesser Prairie-Chicken habitat.
- Salinity, Colorado River Basin, available in areas service by salinity offices only.
- Beginning Farmer/Rancher and Limited Resource Farmer/Rancher, available statewide.
- Socially Disadvantaged Farmer/Rancher, available statewide.
- Salinity-Wildlife Habitat, available in areas serviced by salinity offices only.
- Animal Waste Management, available statewide.
- Wildlife Habitat, available statewide.
- Rio Grande Surface Water Targeted Conservation Project, available in Alamosa and Conejos Counties
- Ogallala Aquifer Targeted Conservation Project, available in serviced by Cheyenne Wells, Eads, Pueblo, Rocky Ford, Akron, Wray, Yuma, Holyoke, and Julesburg offices
- Source Water Protection, available statewide
- Water Management Entities, available statewide
- Conservation Activity Plans, available statewide
Producers must have farm records current with the Farm Service Agency to be considered for financial assistance through EQIP. Applications are accepted at all Colorado NRCS offices located in USDA Service Centers across the state. Find out more information about how to apply for EQIP and locate local Colorado NRCS field offices today. Applications MUST be submitted to NRCS by 4:00pm on Friday, January 8, 2021.
When visiting with NRCS staff about the EQIP program, landowners are encouraged to inquire about NRCS’ comprehensive conservation plans. The Agency continually strives to put conservation planning at the forefront of its programs and initiatives. Conservation plans provide landowners with a comprehensive inventory and assessment of their resources, as well as an appropriate start to improving the quality of soil, water, air, plants, and wildlife on their land.
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