The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing January 5, 2024; March 8, 2024; and May 10, 2024 as the application ranking cut-off dates for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Agricultural Management Assistance Program (AMA) in Massachusetts. EQIP and AMA offers financial and technical assistance to private owners and managers of agricultural land and forestland to address natural resource concerns.
Farmland and forestland operators and owners who are interested in applying for assistance through EQIP or AMA should contact their local NRCS office for more information and to begin the conservation planning process. NRCS develops conservation plans which evaluate resource concerns, while considering the land management goals of the operation.
“If you operate a farm or manage forest land and want to improve your land, we can help,” said Dan Wright, State Conservationist for NRCS in Massachusetts. “You can discuss your vision for your land with one of our conservation planners, who will explain the conservation planning process and how to apply for financial assistance.”
You may apply for NRCS conservation programs at any time. Complete applications are ranked for funding in batches periodically throughout the year. In Massachusetts, NRCS is offering three batching periods for EQIP and AMA. Fiscal year 2024 cut-off dates are: January 5th, March 8th, and May10, 2024.
All applications determined eligible and high priority by close of business on a given ranking date will be considered in the current funding cycle. All NRCS programs are voluntary.
Ranking dates and the application process are subject to change. Contact your local field office for the latest information. For more information on available programs, the application process, and natural resource priorities, visit the Massachusetts NRCS website at www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov.
NRCS has seven field offices in Massachusetts:
- Greenfield field office – 413-772-0384, ext 3, serving Franklin County
- Hadley field office – 413-585-1000, ext 3, serving Hampden and Hampshire counties
- Holden field office – 508-829-4477, ext 3, serving Worcester County
- Pittsfield field office – 413-443-1776, ext 3, serving Berkshire County
- Westford field office – 978-692-1904, ext 3, serving Essex, Middlesex and Suffolk counties
- Wareham field office – 508-295-5151, ext 2, serving Bristol, Norfolk and Plymouth counties
- West Yarmouth field office – 508-771-6476, serving Cape Cod and the Islands
EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and forest landowners to address natural resource concerns through an array of conservation practices. Assistance is available to support private landowners and managers in addressing farm, field, forest, wildlife, water, and/or plant management issues including:
- Erosion control
- Farm and forestry conservation plans
- Fencing for grazing systems
- Forest stand improvement
- Grazing plans
- Irrigation systems
- Pasture and hayland planting
- Pollinator habitat
- Protection of heavy use areas for livestock
- Restoration and management of declining habitat
- Riparian buffers
- Seasonal high tunnels
- Soil health management plans
- Waste storage facilities
- Wildlife habitat management and development
Some of the EQIP funding will be provided to farmers and forest landowners via the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), which encourages partner organizations to join in efforts with producers to increase the restoration and sustainable use of soil, water, wildlife and related natural resources on regional or watershed scales. Through the RCPP program, NRCS and its partners help producers install and maintain conservation activities in selected project areas.
Partners leverage RCPP funding in project areas and report on the benefits achieved.
NRCS is a federal agency that works hand-in-hand with conservation districts and the people of Massachusetts to improve and protect soil, water and other natural resources. The agency works with local conservation districts and other partners to serve farmers and landowners in the Bay State and across the United States.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rita Thibodeau, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, rita.thibodeau@usda.gov 413-253-4379