Financial help available for conservation on Oregon farms, ranches

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Oregon is accepting applications from farmers, ranchers and family forestland owners interested in receiving financial assistance to conserve natural resources on their land.

Through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), NRCS helps agricultural producers offset the cost to perform conservation activities on private lands.

The next application deadline for EQIP funding is Nov. 17, 2017.

Examples of conservation activities include installing efficient irrigation systems to save water and reduce energy consumption; planting cover crops to improve soil health and water quality; and removing invasive juniper trees to enhance habitat for mule deer, sage grouse and other wildlife species.

There are many more conservation practices that EQIP can help pay for to address priority natural resource concerns such as water quality and quantity, soil health, plant condition, wildlife habitat, forest health, and more.

Oregon EQIP funds are available to agricultural producers within targeted watersheds or areas in each county to address priority natural resource concerns. These resource concerns are identified each year through a locally-led strategic planning process with input from landowners, agencies and conservation partners.

In addition to locally-led EQIP opportunities, NRCS also offers statewide assistance through EQIP initiatives, such as the Organic Initiative and the Seasonal High Tunnel System Initiative.

To find out what kinds of EQIP funding opportunities are available in Oregon, and for more information about program eligibility, visit the Oregon EQIP webpage at: http://bit.ly/OregonEQIP.

To search EQIP funding opportunities specific to each county, visit the NRCS Oregon website at www.or.nrcs.usda.gov and click the “What’s Available in My County?” icon.

Interested applicants can also contact their local USDA Service Center to inquire about EQIP opportunities in their county and to apply for assistance.