USDA Offering Agriculture Producers Funding for Conservation Projects

By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

OREGON – (Release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture) Funding is available for Oregon farmers, ranchers and forest owners to perform voluntary conservation activities on their privately-owned land with financial assistance from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Oregon.

NRCS Oregon announces a new sign-up deadline for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Applicants must apply by April 7, 2023 to be considered for the second round of fiscal year 2023 funding.

To apply, contact your local USDA Service Center or apply online at farmers.gov. Find projects available in your county on the “What’s Available in My County” webpage.

The April 7 sign-up deadline applies to the following programs:

General EQIP: In Oregon, general EQIP dollars are available to producers located within a Conservation Implementation Strategy (CIS) area. CIS’s are locally-led projects developed by farmers and partners through Oregon’s Local Work Group process. For this second sign-up period, the Willow Creek Water Quality Improvement project is available in Malheur County.
Conservation Incentive Contracts – Incentive contracts are an option available through EQIP that offers producers financial assistance to adopt conservation management practices on working landscapes. Visit Oregon’s Conservation Incentive Contracts page here.
Inflation Reduction Act – Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding is channeled through EQIP. IRA funding supports producers with the application of conservation measures that focus on carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions, reduced energy, and soil health. View Oregon’s Inflation Reduction Act page here.
Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Initiative: These projects focus on reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire on private forestlands and adjacent federal lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Visit Oregon’s Joint Chiefs page here. For this second sign-up period, two new projects are available: Southern Blues Restoration project in Grant County and North Wasco All Lands project in Wasco County.
Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) EQIP projects: There are currently 17 active RCPP projects throughout Oregon. These are typically 5-year projects with specific goals within regions and watersheds. Visit the Oregon RCPP webpage to learn more about RCPP funding opportunities and program eligibility. To apply for RCPP and see what is available in your area, call your local USDA Service Center or lead partner for the RCPP Project. For this second sign-up period, the Stinkingwater Medusahead Management Plan project and the Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Strategy project are available.
National Water Quality Initiative: NRCS works closely with conservation partners to select priority watersheds where on-farm conservation investments will deliver the greatest water quality improvements. Visit Oregon’s National Water Quality Initiative page here. For this second sign-up period, the Long Tom Watershed City of Monroe Source Water Protection project is available.

Contact your local USDA Service Center to inquire about opportunities in your county and to apply for assistance.