United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service		 Idaho Go to Accessibility Information
Skip to Page Content

 

NEWS

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
9173 W. Barnes Dr., Suite B
Boise, Idaho 83709

For more information:
Contact:  Jody Fagan, 208.685.6978


CONSERVATION PROGRAM APPLICATIONS DUE JAN. 14

(Boise, ID)—An initial 2005 allocation of nearly $15 million in financial assistance will be available to Idaho farmers and ranchers applying for USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs by close of business Jan. 14, 2005.

The funding includes all conservation programs administered by NRCS except for the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program and the Conservation Security Program. Local USDA Service Centers are accepting applications beginning today.

“Our first allocation of conservation funding is available earlier than last year,” says Richard Sims, NRCS State Conservationist. “This provides a great opportunity for Idaho’s producers to assess our different program options and apply for the ones best suited to their operation.”

NRCS conservation programs available through this allocation are:

  • Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)—assists farmers and ranchers to improve soil, air and water quality and other related resources on private working lands.

  • EQIP for Ground & Surface Water—assists farmers and ranchers in improving agricultural water use efficiency.

  • Wetland Reserve Program (WRP)—voluntary program helping landowners restore, enhance and protect wetlands through permanent easements, 30-year easements and restoration cost-share agreements.

  • Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)—voluntary program designed to protect and restore grasslands, biodiversity, wildlife habitat and reduce soil erosion.

  • Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)—offers technical and financial assistance through long-term agreements to create, restore and enhance wildlife habitat for upland wildlife, wetland wildlife, and threatened, endangered or at-risk species and fisheries.

“Since this application period is earlier in the winter, my hope is that it will give producers more time to research and learn about these programs,” Sims says. “Our offices are available to answer questions and we will evaluate the applicants through scheduled field visits.”

Another application period for NRCS conservation programs may occur later in 2005. A sign-up period for the new Conservation Security Program (CSP) in selected Idaho watersheds is tentatively scheduled for January or February 2005. CSP rewards those farmers and ranchers already practicing good stewardship on their land. In addition, a request for proposals from local and state government, and nongovernmental organizations with easement programs for the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) will be unveiled sometime yet this fall.

For more information on NRCS conservation programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center or visit http://www.id.nrcs.usda.gov.


USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

< Back to News Releases