Farmers, ranchers, nonindustrial forestland operators, and tribes are eligible to receive funding from a pilot program offered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that provides technical assistance and pays for adopting new conservation practices and maintaining existing conservation work.
Applications must be filled out in-person at an NRCS office by July 12, so make an appointment today if youu2019re interested in participating.
A new variation on the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the pilot Conservation Incentive Contracts program (EQIP-CIC) offers 5-year contracts to implement practices that address NRCS priority resource concerns, includingu202fclimate smart agricultural practices and practices that improve water conservation, forest health and resiliency, and pollinator habitat.u202f
Billed as a u201cstepping stoneu201d between EQIP and the Conservation Stewardship Program, EQIP-CIC is initially being offered in Arizona, California, Colorado, and Oregon before going national next year. California received $22.7 million for the program, which includes $4.6 million specifically to address drought and $674,100 for the Klamath Basin.
For more information, visit the Conservation Incentive Contracts program webpage or contact your local NRCS service office.