News Update
Opportunity available for agricultural assistance in Florida
Staff report
Enviro-Net
The 2008 Farm Bill was recently granted an extension by Congress, allowing the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida to give farmers and ranchers an additional opportunity to improve water and air quality, build healthier soil, improve forest lands, conserve energy and achieve other environmental benefits.
This gives more producers extra time to submit applications to help them get started implementing practices to benefit natural resources in their operations.
Interested producers should visit their local NRCS service center now to receive more information on the various initiatives available including the organic initiative, seasonal high tunnel initiative, on-farm energy initiative and others.
Producers may apply for conservation technical assistance and possible financial assistance under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program. Applications must be filed no later than Feb. 21, 2014, to be eligible for this year’s funding.
Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis, the February 21st date has been set to make FY 2014 funding decisions for these special initiatives. As with all NRCS programs, producers may continue to apply throughout the year and will be considered for future funding, if available.
Additional information on NRCS, conservation assistance and available programs is offered at www.fl.nrcs.usda.gov or at your local USDA - NRCS office.