Indiana NRCS Accepting Applications for Additional EQIP, CSP, ACEP Funding

Funding is now available from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Indiana to help farmers and private forestland owners implement conservation practices on their ground. Additional funding is available for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which was passed by Congress in August 2022.

Applications for the current funding cycles for IRA-EQIP and IRA-CSP are being accepted through April 28. While applications are accepted year-round, interested producers should submit applications to their local NRCS office by April 28 to be considered for the current funding period. Applications received after April 28 will automatically be considered during the next funding cycle.

Application are also being accepted for additional ACEP Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE) or Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE) projects through IRA. Applications for the current ACEP funding cycle are due to your local NRCS office by March 17, 2023. This year, NRCS will prioritize ACEP-ALE for grasslands in areas of highest risk for conversion to non-grassland uses to prevent the release of soil carbon stores. Meanwhile, NRCS will prioritize ACEPWRE for eligible lands that contain soils high in organic carbon.

Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act provided an additional $19.5 billion nationwide over five years for climate smart agriculture through several of the conservation programs that NRCS implements. NRCS is making $850 million available nationwide in fiscal year 2023 for its oversubscribed conservation programs including EQIP and CSP. The additional funding provided through IRA available for farmers and private forestland owners to implement a suite of core practices that NRCS has identified as playing the biggest role in mitigating the harmful effects of climate change. These practices include nutrient management plan, cover crop, reduced tillage, forest stand improvements, prescribed grazing plans and more. A full list of eligible practices is available at your local USDA service center.

EQIP is a voluntary conservation program available for agricultural producers and private, non-industrial forestland owners. Through EQIP, NRCS provides financial and technical assistance to install conservation practices that reduce soil erosion and sedimentation, improve soil health, improve water and air quality and create wildlife habitat.

CSP is a financial assistance program for producers who are already established conservation stewards and who want to add more conservation benefits on their land, such as improved water and soil quality, climate-smart agricultural practices and enhanced wildlife habitat.

Source: clintonian.org