NRCS announces EQIP deadlines

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has announced application deadlines for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in Washington State will come earlier than previous years to account for a stronger focus on conservation planning.

EQIP is a voluntary, technical and financial assistance program designed to help farmers, ranchers, private forestland owners, tribes and other private landowners/managers improve irrigation efficiency, manage nutrient run-off and/or animal waste, improve the health of native plant communities, and reduce soil loss. In most instances, program participants pay for roughly half of the costs of the conservation measures or practices.

Although applications are accepted on a year-round basis, eligible producers and entities interested will have two cut-off dates to submit their applications for consideration for funding in fiscal year 2019. The cut-off dates are as follows: Feb. 15, April 19.

For more information about these initiatives, please refer to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service website.

Applicants are required to establish themselves as a USDA customer and complete all Farm Service Agency eligibility requirements prior to the application cut-off date.