The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) as part of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) efforts supported by the Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture (OPJV) – Grassland Restoration Incentives Program (GRIP) Partnership.
This special RCPP EQIP initiative is open to applicants in the following Texas counties that have been approved as focal counties that represent high priority opportunity areas for bird and other wildlife conservation: Archer, Austin, Baylor, Callahan, Clay, Colorado, Delta, Dewitt, Edwards, Ellis, Fayette, Fannin, Gonzales, Hunt, Karnes, Kinney, Lamar, Lavaca, Montague, Navarro, Real, Red River, Shackelford, Stephens, Throckmorton, Uvalde, Val Verde, Washington, Wilson and Wise.
The application deadline is July 8.
All applications must be received by NRCS field offices by the deadline date to be considered for this funding cycle. All interested and eligible farmers and ranchers in the focal counties are encouraged to work with local partner organizations or NRCS-eligible counties to apply.
The NRCS EQIP assists landowners, farmers and ranchers who voluntarily implement conservation and management practices that aim to improve the conservation elements of their agriculture and grazing lands.
“The overall EQIP offers agricultural producers and forest landowners payments for actively managing, maintaining and expanding conservation activities like prescribed grazing, brush management, herbaceous weed control and pollinator habitat—all while maintaining active agriculture production on their land,” Texas NRCS Acting State Conservationist Kristy Oates said.
For more information, visit NRCS Texas’s EQIP web page, contact a local USDA service center or visit GetStarted.