NRCS Missouri Announces Accelerated Funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Climate Smart Agriculture – Nutrient Management Initiative

COLUMBIA, Mo.  – The Missouri Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is now accepting applications for accelerated Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) ACT NOW funding to help support improvements of nutrient management on cropland and pastureland operations utilizing new funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 delivers new conservation funding to support climate-smart agriculture, including opportunities to improve nutrient management.

“By utilizing a Nutrient Management Plan, producers can reduce fertilizer costs and maximize crop-nutrient uptake, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture,” said State Agronomist Pat Turman.

Nutrient management is the management of nutrients and soil amendments to maximize their economic benefit while minimizing their environmental impact. Proper nutrient management considers several factors when applying commercial fertilizers, manure, soil amendments and organic by-products to agricultural land while also addressing associated risk of applying nutrients in protecting local air, soil and water quality.

A SMART Nutrient Management Plan includes the 4Rs of nutrient stewardship (the right Source, right Method, right Rate, and right Timing) and emphasizes smart activities to reduce nutrient loss by assessment of comprehensive site-specific conditions. To learn more about the 4Rs of nutrient stewardship please visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/getting-assistance/other-topics/nutrient-management.

Through this unique funding opportunity, producers and landowners can receive technical assistance for the development of a Nutrient Management Plan and financial assistance for implementing that plan through conservation practice 590 Nutrient Management for up to five years.

To receive financial assistance under this initiative, applicants must meet all USDA NRCS EQIP eligibility requirements and the acres planned to receive 590 Nutrient Management financial assistance must currently be at or below soil loss tolerance (T).

How to Apply
NRCS in Missouri will accept applications until Aug. 1, 2023, for the EQIP Nutrient Management Initiative. Applications submitted prior to Aug. 1, 2023, will be assessed and ranked as soon as the applicant has made treatment decisions through a conservation plan. 

Based on fund availability, applications that meet a minimum threshold will be preapproved immediately, allowing the applicant to ACT NOW. Application assessments below the minimum threshold will be batched and funded in ranking order as funding allows. 

For more information about NRCS programs and assistance, visit www.mo.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/eqip-environmental-quality-incentives/missouri/environmental-quality or contact Missouri Programs at (573) 876-0901 or MO.Programs@usda.gov.

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