BANGOR — The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced the application deadline date for two of its principal conservation programs — the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Agricultural Management Assistance Program (AMA).
The fiscal year 2017 application deadline for EQIP and AMA is Aug. 19.
Agricultural producers and foresters are encouraged to sign up now for EQIP, which provides financial and technical assistance to address varying natural resource priorities. The application deadline for most EQIP fund pool categories will be Aug. 19. This does not include the EQIP National Water Quality Initiative and Conservation Innovation Grants.
“These programs are completely voluntary and support agricultural production and environmental quality in Maine,” said NRCS-Maine State Conservationist Juan Hernandez. “The deadline is approaching quickly, so we encourage you to contact one of our specialists at your local USDA Service Center as soon as possible.”
EQIP categories that are included in the Aug. 19 signup deadline, in addition to the “general” local pool categories such as animal waste, cropland, forestry, seasonal high tunnels, pasture and wildlife, are: beginning farmer; socially disadvantaged; tribal projects; water conservation/irrigation; aquatic organism passage projects; conservation activity plans; on-farm energy; and organic.
Agricultural producers are also encouraged to sign up now for the AMA program, the deadline for which is also Aug. 19. AMA assists agricultural producers to manage risk and voluntarily address issues such as water management and water quality.
There is a continuous, year-round sign-up for these two programs, but applications submitted by the deadline mentioned above will be considered for funding in Fiscal Year 2017. Proposals submitted after that date will be held for the next period of funding consideration.
For more information, contact the local NRCS Service Center in Houlton at 532-9407, ext. 3,or visit www.me.nrcs.usda.gov.
