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USDA NRCS Florida Expedites Disaster Assistance Sign-up through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program

The sign-up period for this disaster assistance is October 18 – December 20, 2024.
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Center Pivot damaged by hurricane Helene in Florida

Approximately $26 million will be made available for Florida EQIP disaster assistance applicants to address resource concerns on their land. The sign-up period for this disaster assistance is October 18 – December 20, 2024.

GAINESVILLE, Florida, October 18, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida announced it will begin accepting applications today for disaster assistance funding through Emergency Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) to provide technical and financial assistance to agricultural landowners and producers in recovering from damages caused by hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton.  

Approximately $26 million will be made available for EQIP disaster assistance applicants to address resource concerns on their land. The sign-up period for this disaster assistance is October 18 – December 20, 2024.

Florida Forest damaged by Hurricane Michael in October 2018.

 

“NRCS is committed to helping Florida agriculture with 

every means available to repair damages to their land caused by Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton,” said Juan C. Hernandez, NRCS State conservationist in Florida.

NRCS Florida will evaluate disaster assistance applications using the ACT NOW process. ACT NOW allows NRCS to pre-approve ranked application when the ranking score meets or exceeds an established threshold score. The minimum threshold ranking score for EQIP disaster assistance funding is 50 points. Applications will be batched and processed in the order received.  

 

 

 

EQIP disaster assistance funding is targeted to the following conservation practices. To expedite hurricane disaster recovery, Florida NRCS is offering early start waivers to allow commencement of conservation practices prior to program contract approval.  

325 – High Tunnel System 
368 – Emergency Animal Mortality Management 
384 – Wood Residue Treatment 
400 – Bivalve Aquaculture Gear and Biofouling Control 
442 – Sprinkler System (center pivots) 
484 – Mulching 
590 – Nutrient Management 
595 – Pest Management Conservation System 
612 – Tree/Shrub Establishment

A webinar is scheduled for October 30, 2024, from 10:00a.m.-12:00 EST.  

Join ZoomGov Meeting  
   https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1606683390

Meeting ID: 160 668 3390  

Florida counties targeted for EQIP disaster assistance include:  Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, Desoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, , Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, and Wakulla.

Florida County map of NRCS EQIP Disaster Assistance Counties

Additional USDA Disaster Resources:

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/eqip-environmental-quali…  

For the latest on USDA efforts: visit the Hurricane Recovery webpage on farmers.gov. (https://www.farmers.gov/protection-recovery/hurricane)

Find your local USDA Service Center:  https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/contact  

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. 


Contacts: 
Amber Till, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs - Financial Assistance,  
Cynthia Portalatin, State Public Affairs Specialist,  cynthia.portalatin@usda.govamber.till@usda.gov

Photo Cutlines: (photos by NRCS Florida)
Top photo: Center pivot damaged by Hurricane Helene in 2024. 
Body photo: Florida forest trees damage by Hurricane Michael in 2018.