EQIP Application are being taken...

Farmers, livestock producers and other landowners can now take advantage of the conservation practices available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) by applying for the program at their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office.

"On a statewide basis, we have over 50 conservation practices that producers can sign up for right now," said James Shivers, NRCS District Conservationist. "We have cost sharing assistance for practices from fencing to ponds and from tree planting to prescribed burning. EQIP offers many practices to help farmers, livestock producers, and forest landowners install conservation on farms.

Every application will be ranked according to total environmental benefits derived from the implementation of conservation practices and the best will be funded. NRCS evaluates each application using a state and locally developed evaluation process. High priorities are given to applications that encourage the use of cost-effective conservation practices, address state and national conservation priorities and optimize environmental benefits.

EQIP helps producers through cost sharing and incentive payments for the implementation of conservation practices. All EQIP activities must be carried out according to a conservation plan of operations developed by the producer, NRCS and in cooperation with the Dugdemona Soil and Water Conservation District.

Individuals qualifying as beginning farmers or limited-resource farmers may be eligible for a greater payment rate than other producers.

For more information on the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and how it may help you and your operation in Jackson Parish, call the Ruston Field Office at 318-255-3136, ext.3 ; for Caldwell Parish call the Columbia Field office at 318-649-2651 ext. 3; for Winn Parish call the Natchitoches Field Office at 318-357-8366 or you may call the Dugdemona SWCD office at 318-628-4438.

All programs and services of the U.S. Department of Agriculture are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, or disability.