New York Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces November 18, 2016 as the application cutoff date for Signup 1 of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017.

Through the EQIP program, NRCS offers financial and technical assistance to participants to implement practices which address priority resource concerns, including soil erosion, water quality and habitat degradation. Focus areas within the EQIP program include the farmstead, soil management, habitat, forestry and grazing.  Examples of practices implemented through EQIP include: strip cropping, grassed waterways, forest stand improvement and manure storage facilities.

“Through the planning process, NRCS identifies resource concerns present on the agricultural operation,” said Gregory Kist NRCS State Conservationist. “EQIP funds are beneficial to assist the agricultural producers of New York with implementing the practices necessary to treat the resource concerns.”

Applications accepted between November 18, 2016 and February 17, 2017 will be considered for funding in Signup 2. Applications accepted after February 17, 2017 will only be considered in FY2017 if additional application rounds are announced.  Applications not funded in FY2017 will be deferred for consideration in FY2018. All applications are competitive and are ranked based on national, state and locally identified resource priorities and the overall benefit to the environment.

If you are interested in applying for an NRCS conservation program please visit our web site for information on applying at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ny/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=nrcs144p2_027058.

You may apply by visiting your local NRCS field office, which can be located using the web site: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=NY.