Funding available for conservation cover crops
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is announcing a new streamlined Environmental Quality Incentives Program Cover Crop Initiative in 11 states, including Colorado. Colorado farmers are highly encouraged to contact their local NRCS field office immediately if they wish to participate.
“Producers can apply right now for EQIP-CCI funding. Those who have fully established eligibility records with the Farm Service Agency have the potential to know if their project will be funded before leaving the USDA service center,” said Tim Macklin, acting NRCS state conservationist in Colorado. “Interested farmers should act immediately; waiting until the final application cutoff date of Friday, Feb. 4, will risk waiting until future funding opportunities.”
Nationally, NRCS is investing $38 million in 11 states through the Cover Crop Initiative. It is aimed at helping agricultural producers mitigate climate change through the widespread adoption of cover crops. “Colorado was selected for this pilot based on our demonstrated demand by our agricultural producers for additional support for the cover crop practices,” Macklin went on to say.
Contracts awarded under the CCI pilot will be solely for the implementation of cover crops on cropland (CP#340). Ag producers interested in additional conservation measures and practices should contact the local NRCS field office about planning conservation projects.
If you are interested in applying to implement cover crops through the CCI pilot, please be prepared to provide information about your anticipated crop rotation, any soil testing and other relevant resource information, like a nutrient management plan, soil health assessment and pest management plan, including a chemical list for crop fields you wish to enroll. This will help to facilitate planning your project. You will also want to ensure that you have worked with the Farm Service Agency to update all of your agricultural producer records for fiscal year 2022.
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