The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Utah is announcing fiscal year 2023 first-round funding signup for Conservation Incentive Contracts (CIC), available through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP).
“EQIP-CIC expands resource benefits for Utah producers through incentive conservation practices on rangeland, pastureland, and cropland,” said NRCS Utah Acting State Conservationist Trisha Cracroft.
These additional opportunities will help agricultural producers plan and implement conservation practices that sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate the impacts of climate change on working lands. EQIP-CIC allows producers to target priority resource concerns on their property by offering incentive payments for a five-year contract without needing to enroll the entire operation into the program. EQIP-CIC is designed to be a stepping-stone between EQIP and the Conservation Stewardship Program, to help producers improve their level of conservation and earn benefits of longer-term conservation enhancements.
FY2023 EQIP-CIC Utah Eligible Practices:
Conservation Crop Rotation - Primary Practices
Herbaceous Weed Control - Supportive Practices
Residue and Tillage Management, No Till - Primary Practices
Deep Tillage - Supportive Practices
Cover Crop - Primary Practices
Contour Buffer Strips - Supportive Practices
Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Till - Primary Practices
Fence - Supportive Practices
Mulching - Primary Practices
Forage and Biomass Planting - Supportive Practices
Forage Harvest Management - Primary Practices
Livestock Pipeline - Supportive Practices
Prescribed Grazing - Primary Practices
Prescribed Grazing - Supportive Practices
Nutrient Management - Primary Practices
Pumping Plant - Supportive Practices
Pest Management Conservation System - Primary Practices
Range Planting - Supportive Practices
Soil Carbon Amendment - Primary Practices
Heavy Use Area Protection - Supportive Practices
Soil Health Testing - Primary Practices
Livestock Shelter Structure - Supportive Practices
Soil and Source Testing For Nutrient Management - Primary Practices
Stripcropping - Supportive Practices
Brush Management - Primary Practices
Structure for Water Control - Supportive Practices
Watering Facility - Supportive Practices
NRCS Utah will offer funding for two “Priority Resource Concern Categories,” which include livestock production limitation, and soil quality limitation. Individuals interested in applying for the EQIP-CIC should contact their local NRCS conservationist as soon as possible.
How to Apply
NRCS accepts applications for conservation programs year-round, however to be included in this funding batch, producers should contact their local USDA Service Center. Interested producers should submit applications to their local NRCS office by January 6, 2023, to be considered for the FY2023 ranking funding period. Visit the NRCS Utah website Utah | Natural Resources Conservation Service (usda.gov) for more details. To learn more about EQIP and CSP or other technical and financial assistance available through NRCS conservation programs, please visit our website and click on “Programs & Initiatives” or contact your local USDA Service Center.
Original source can be found here.
