Natural Resources Conservation Service NewYork Announces Application Cutoff for the EQIP, GLRI, AMA and WWFL Programs

New York Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces Friday, November 4, as the application cutoff date for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP; statewide), Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), Working Lands for Wildlife (Golden-Winged Warbler), and Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA).

NRCS offers financial and technical assistance to eligible landowners and agricultural producers to implement practices which address priority resource concerns, including climate resiliency, soil health, water quality and habitat degradation. Focus areas include cropland, pastureland, forestland and the farmstead. Examples of practices implemented include: cover crops, reduced tillage, high and low tunnels, pasture management, early successional forest habitat, forest stand improvement and manure storage facilities. Many practices now have cost scenarios for small farms so that the specialized costs needed for these operations can be better managed and reflect what is needed to address the identified resource concerns.

AMA provides assistance to producers in identified urban areas. This special program offers an exciting opportunity for urban farmers to compete for funding in a program developed to meet their needs.

NRCS programs also offer funding pools for historically underserved customers, which include beginning farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers, limited resource producers, Tribal farmers and veterans. These customers receive a higher payment rate on their conservation practices. NRCS will work with applicants to assess potential resource concerns on the land included in the application and to develop a conservation plan to address the identified resource concerns.

Applications accepted after November 4, 2022, will be considered in the next signup. All applications are competitive and are ranked based on national, state and locally identified resource priorities and the overall benefit to the environment. If you are interested in applying for an NRCS conservation program, contact your local NRCS Service Center.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, reduced soil erosion and sedimentation and improved wildlife habitat.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) helps NRCS accelerate conservation efforts on private lands located in targeted watersheds affecting Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Through GLRI, NRCS-NY works with farmers and landowners to protect watersheds and shorelines from non-point source pollution.

Golden-Winged Warbler (GWWA) is migratory songbird that depends on early successional forest habitat for breeding and nesting. This habitat has declined as forests have aged. Landowners are assisting this at-risk bird by voluntarily improving the health and diversity of their forests.

Agriculture Management Assistance (AMA) helps agricultural producers use conservation to manage risk and solve natural resource issues through conservation. NRCS-NY targets AMA funding to assist agricultural producers in urban areas.