State Conservationist Ivan Dozier announced USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will offer funding to help improve fish and wildlife habitat on cropland, forests, streams and prairies in northwestern Illinois through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). NRCS has partnered with Trout Unlimited to help producers improve resource concerns such as wildlife habitat, water quality and soil health. Landowners can apply for assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to implement practices such as stream and shoreline protection, cover crops, and grassed waterways. The project focus is to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and improve wildlife habitat in portions of the following six Illinois counties: Boone, Carroll, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Stephenson, and Winnebago. Financial assistance will be available to producers in northwestern Illinois who have land in portions of the above-mentioned counties. While applications are accepted throughout the year, interested producers should submit a signed application (NRCS-CPA-1200 form) to the local NRCS field office, or submit one through the Farmers.gov website using their account. Submit by the cutoff date of January 6, 2023 to ensure your application is considered for 2023 funding.
A blank NRCS-CPA-1200 application form may be obtained from the local office or on the Illinois NRCS website. Producers who wish to use Farmers.gov can sign in or create an account by clicking on the “Sign up” button in the upper right of the website.
To see if you are eligible to participate in the program, producers should contact their local NRCS field office or visit the Illinois NRCS website.
Original source can be found here.
