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EQIP Application Deadline in Texas Draws Near
Temple, Texas November 5, 2007. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas is
reminding agricultural producers interested in participating in the
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) that the deadline to apply for
2008 funding is Nov. 16, 2007.
We want to be sure producers are aware of the Nov. 16 ranking deadline, said
Don Gohmert, NRCS state conservationist for Texas. EQIP funds have been made
available to us to fund contracts this fall, and we will be working diligently
to do that.
However, producers should know that if they miss this deadline, sign-up is a
continuous process and there will most likely be subsequent ranking periods
before Dec. 31 unless a new Farm Bill is passed, Gohmert said.
Funds have been provided to each county to meet the primary natural resource
concerns identified at the local level. NRCS has also set aside funds for
statewide resource concerns, which include:
Water Quantity Brush management in five areas, primarily in central Texas
Water Quantity Irrigation efficiency practices in central, south, and west
Texas
Water Quality and Air Quality Waste management and air quality practices for
beef, dairy, poultry, and swine animal feeding operations
Wildlife Habitat emphasis areas across Texas
Invasive Species Management of Chinese Tallow and Salt Cedar
Water Quality Conservation practices in an 18-county area in south central
Texas
Reforestation Reestablishment of forest in an 18-county area in east Texas
EQIP promotes agricultural environmental quality and production. Through EQIP,
farmers and ranchers receive financial and technical assistance to help install
conservation practices and to implement management systems that promote
conservation. Financial assistance is generally at about a 50:50 ratio;
technical assistance is provided at 100 percent NRCS cost.
To sign up for EQIP or to get more information, contact the NRCS office serving
your county. Look in the phone book under U.S. Government, Department of
Agriculture, or find your service center on the Web at
http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app.
You can also get information about Texas NRCS conservation technical assistance
and programs at www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov.
Contact
Lori Valadez, State Public Affairs Specialist
101 South Main, Temple, Texas 76501
Phone: 254.742.9811
Fax: 254.742.9939 |
Norman Bade,
Assistant State Conservationist
101 South Main, Temple, Texas 76501
Phone: 254.742.9881 |
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