NRCS awards over $7.7 million to support agriculture and conservation in Nevada in Fiscal Year 2022

RENO, Nev. – The Natural Resources Conservation Service awarded 114 contracts worth over $7.7 million to support agriculture and conservation in Nevada between October 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022.

The Environmental Quality Incentive Program accounted for 64 contracts worth approximately $6.7 million on 20,114 acres. EQIP provides financial resources and one-on-one help to assist producers with planning and implementing various conservation practices. Use of these practices can lead to cleaner air and water, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat while improving agricultural operations. Money provided through EQIP was used to address irrigation issues including pipelines, pumps and pivot systems as well as range improvements like livestock pipelines, water troughs, fences.

Although it did not have the second highest amount of contracts, the Conservation Stewardship Program provided $658,729 over 10,983 acres between the CSP-Classic program and contract renewals. CSP helps identify natural resource problems in operations and provides technical and financial assistance to solve the problem or attain higher stewardship levels on a property. Examples of uses include addressing soil loss, reducing the amount of dust and greenhouse gasses from agricultural operations, improving the cover food and water available for domestic and wildlife species, and promoting energy efficiencies for on-farm activities. Primary activities contracted in CSP were enhancements and management practices related to irrigation water management, forage harvest management, and treating invasive and noxious weeds through integrated pest management plans and herbaceous weed control.

The remaining funds totaling $348,364 were from the Agricultural Management Assistance program that allows producers to manage financial risk through diversification, marketing or natural resource conservation practices. Examples of work done under AMA includes improving water management or irrigation structures, planting trees for windbreaks, and mitigating risk through production diversification of resource conservation practices including erosion control, pest management, and transitioning to organic farming.

“We are redefining our measure of success by focusing on conservation planning,” said Suzy Daubert, acting State Conservationist. “We encourage farmers, ranchers, and other producers to invite our staff out to your operation so we can talk about the best ways to improve productivity and conserve natural resources, whether that is with ideas and advice provided by no cost technical assistance or through one of our financial assistance programs.”

Applications for these programs can be submitted at any time although funding may only be obligated at certain times. Technical assistance is available year-round by contacting your local USDA Service Center. For more information on the programs go to https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/nevada  or find your local USDA Service Center here and click on Nevada https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app

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