|
 Updates include nationwide availability of the Environmental
Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive
Contracts option and added flexibilities for producers to easily
re-enroll in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). These
improvements to NRCS’ working lands conservation programs,
combined with continued program opportunities in Illinois, are
part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader effort to
support climate-smart agriculture.
“Climate and weather issues are real, and America’s agricultural
communities are on the frontlines,” NRCS State Conservationist
Ivan Dozier said. “We have to continue to support and expand the
adoption of conservation approaches to support producers in
their work to address the extreme weather conditions and build
more resilient operations. We are continuously working to
improve our programs to ensure we’re giving Illinois farmers the
best tools to conserve natural resources.”
EQIP Conservation Incentive Contracts -- Conservation Incentive
Contracts address priority resource concerns, including
sequestering carbon and improving soil health in Illinois.
Through these contracts, NRCS works with producers to strengthen
the quality and condition of natural resources on their
operations using three management practices: cover crops,
nutrient management, and residue and tillage management/no-till.
Conservation Incentive Contracts are five years long and offer
producers annual incentive payments to implement management
practices.
CSP Re-Enrollment Option -- NRCS updated CSP to
allow an agricultural producer to immediately re-enroll in the
program following an unfunded application to renew an existing
contract.
[to top of second column] |
Previously, if a CSP participant did not re-enroll
the year their contract expired, they were ineligible for the
program for two years. This ineligibility was imposed on CSP
participants even if their failure to sign a renewal contract was
due to the unavailability of funds, which is beyond their control.
USDA is now waiving this two-year ineligibility restriction for all
CSP applications.
Applicants with unfunded fiscal 2022 CSP renewals will receive
letters this month, notifying them they are automatically eligible
to apply for future CSP funding opportunities, rather than needing
to wait two years to reapply.
How to Apply -- NRCS accepts applications for conservation programs
year-round– including EQIP and CSP--however producers and landowners
should apply by the application deadline to be considered for each
year’s funding. The deadline is March 4, 2022 for Conservation
Incentive Contracts and February 4, 2022 for CSP. To apply,
producers should contact their local USDA Service Center.
[Paige Buck
Public Affairs Officer
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service]
 |
