A link to this payment schedule is provided below. Not only do these practices offer significant environmental benefits, but they are also important to growers.Īdditional conservation practices eligible to be contracted under the Organic Agriculture Initiative in Maine are listed in the Organic Initiative Payment Schedule. Successful applicants will receive funding to implement conservation practices that have been identified as needed to improve natural resource conditions. Funding for the initiative is being made available through EQIP. Maine has received funds for an organic initiative to encourage more organic agriculture production. These dollars will be used to fund projects that address irrigation efficiency and assist producers to comply with Maine Department of Environmental Protection Chapter 587 In-Stream Flows and Lake and Pond Water Levels regulations.Ģ022 On-Farm Energy Application Ranking Summary ( pending) Organic Agriculture Initiative Maine NRCS will set aside at least $1,000,000 each year in financial assistance funding for eligible applicants across the state. Under the 2008 Farm Bill, priority will be given to water conservation or irrigation efficiency applications that will reduce water sue or where the producer agrees not to use any associated water savings to bring new land under irrigation production. National Conservation Activity Plans WebsiteĢ022 Maine Conservation Activity Plan Application Ranking Summary ( pending) Irrigation Assistance Available Through EQIP
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis for all plans. CAPs are developed by a Technical Service Provider, who is certified by NRCS and placed on an approved list to provide technical assistance to farmers and others for specific conservation programs administered by USDA. A CAP is a specialized conservation plan prepared specifically for a conservation management unit. Maine NRCS has opportunities through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help develop Conservation Activity Plans (CAPs ). Applicants will be asked to work with NRCS conservation planners to assess resource needs and agree on practices to treat these needs. The payment rate will be the compensation for the program participant.Īpplications for the EQIP program are accepted on a continuous basis, however, NRCS establishes application “cut-off” dates for evaluation and ranking of eligible applications. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program provides financial assistance in the form of a fixed payment rate for each eligible practice and activity under contract. Through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, agricultural producers may receive financial and technical help with structural and management conservation practices on agricultural land. It supports production agriculture and environmental quality as compatible goals. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program is a voluntary conservation program from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Socially disadvantaged, beginning and limited resource farmers, Indian tribes and beginning farmers/veterans are eligible for an increased payment rate and may receive advance payment of up to 50 percent to purchase materials and services needed to implement conservation practices included in their EQIP contract. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, non-industrial private forestland and other farm or ranch lands.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers in order 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 or improved or created wildlife habitat.Īgricultural producers and owners of non-industrial private forestland and Tribes are eligible to apply for EQIP. Some of the documents below require Adobe Acrobat Reader