Two EQIP deadlines near; CSP deadline extended

AMES ? Practical Farmers of Iowa is encouraging Iowa farmers interested in conserving natural resources to sign up for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative and the Conservation Stewardship Program.

Farmers must apply at their local USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service office by Friday for EQIP and Feb. 3 for the EQIP Organic Initiative. NRCS has extended the signup for the CSP to Jan. 27.

All programs, CSP, EQIP and EQIP OI, offer farmers financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices on their land.

?I was encouraged to apply for EQIP while attending Practical Farmers of Iowa events. I wanted to do what I could to conserve the land and water,? said Doug Roberts, a beginning farmer and member of Practical Farmers of Iowa, who farms near Garwin in Tama County. ?I could look out the window during a heavy spring rain and watch the soil wash into the creek. EQIP has given me a chance to take ground out of row crops, to get the soil covered, to stop erosion, build the water holding capacity and health of the soil.?

To improve conservation on his farm, Roberts is transitioning his land to organic production and is adding rotational grazing. EQIP and EQIP OI funds and NRCS technical assistance will enable him to complete a new watering system and paddocks for his livestock.

Statewide EQIP practices include, but are not limited to: grassed waterways, manure management facilities, terracing, pest management, ag drainage wellhead protection and pasture management.

Other practices include tree planting, windbreaks, stripcropping, conservation tillage, practices supporting organic crop production and wildlife habitat management. Congress included new provisions in the 2008 Farm Bill, setting aside 5 percent of EQIP financial assistance dollars for beginning farmers and another 5 percent to assist socially disadvantaged farmers. Additional information about EQIP is available online at www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/stateeqip.html.

CSP rewards farmers for conservation practices currently on their farm and new ones they want to add that raise their level of stewardship even higher. Check with the county to know more about specific practices available.

Practical Farmers of Iowa?s Research and Policy Director Sarah Carlson also is available to answer farmers? questions about the programs. Contact the PFI office at 515-232-5661 or contact Carlson directly at sarah@practicalfarmers.org.