An NRCS District Conservationist and land user discuss farm planning and no-till planting of corn into a cover crop of barley. (USDA NRCS New York)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in New York is announcing several new and expanded opportunities for climate-smart agriculture in 2022. Updates include the availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts (CIC) option. These improvements to NRCS’ working lands conservation programs, combined with continued program opportunities in New York, are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader effort to support climate-smart agriculture.
“Climate change is happening, and America’s agricultural communities are on the frontlines,” NRCS State Conservationist for New York Blake Glover said. “We have to continue to support and expand the adoption of conservation approaches to support producers in their work to address the climate crisis and build more resilient operations. We are continuously working to improve our programs to ensure we’re giving New York farmers the best tools to conserve natural resources.”
EQIP-CIC provides a new opportunity for farmers and nonindustrial private forest landowners to adopt conservation management practices within High Priority Areas (HPA) in New York. The application deadline for EQIP-CIC is March 11, 2022.
EQIP-CIC assists farmers and nonindustrial private forest landowners with adopting management practices that address at least one eligible priority resource concern within State-identified high priority areas. Management practices focus on Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry and drought mitigation. EQIP-CIC can be a steppingstone for producers between EQIP and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), allowing stewardship without enrolling the entire operation. Download the EQIP-CIC fact sheet HERE.
NY High Priority Areas (HPA) include Chautauqua Lake Watershed, Lake Champlain Watershed, the Capital Region, Hudson Valley and Long Island. Eligible resource concerns include Degraded Plant Condition; Field Sediment, Nutrient and Pathogen Loss; Livestock Production Limitation; Pest Pressure; Soil Quality Limitations; Terrestrial Habitat; and Wind and Water Erosion (link to NY EQIP CIC FY22 HPAs_PRCs). Contact your local NRCS office for more information FIND YOUR FIELD OFFICE HERE.
Source: USDA NRCS NY