GAINESVILLE, Fla., Nov. 3, 2020 — USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida is providing Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) funds to help agricultural producers affected by Hurricane Sally. Applications for financial assistance are being accepted through Nov. 13.
Agricultural producers are eligible for disaster funds in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Jackson, Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin, Gulf, Calhoun, and Bay counties.
Financial assistance will fund the following conservation practices: conservation cover, cover crops, critical area planting, filter strips, land smoothing, mulching and planting forage.
Special emphasis participants such as socially disadvantaged, limited resource, new and beginning, and military veteran farmers and ranchers are eligible for a higher payment rate. Additionally, these historically underserved farmers and ranchers are eligible for a 50 percent advanced payment for purchasing materials or contracting to help with practice implementation.
For more information and to sign-up, visit your local USDA Service Center.
–Renee Bodine, NRCS