$22 Million EQIP Funds Given to 17 States
States with greatest efficiency in 2004 receive performance award.
Compiled by staff
Published: Feb 9, 2005
USDA awarded $22.2 million in Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to 17 states for their high levels of performance in implementing the program during 2004.
"These funds will help farmers and ranchers improve soil, air and water resources on private working lands," says Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns. "These awards recognize states that have achieved the greatest efficiency in delivering technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers. This program also helps producers comply with federal, state and local environmental regulations."
The states receiving the performance award are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
EQIP is a voluntary conservation program for farmers and ranchers that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land.
The program provides a performance incentive to optimize the overall environmental benefits of EQIP. In awarding the incentive, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service considered factors such as efficiency in providing technical assistance for conservation system applications, strategic planning and program implementation, degree of emphasis on funding comprehensive nutrient management plans with livestock producers, use of technical service providers, and contracts with limited resource farmers and ranchers.
Funding allocated per state:
State Funding
Alabama $1,315,789
Arkansas $1,315,789
Georgia $1,052.632
Idaho $1,315,789
Louisiana $1,315,789
Maine $1,184,211
Mississippi $1,184,211
Montana $1,184,211
New Mexico $1,052.632
North Dakota $1,052.632
Ohio $1,184,211
Oklahoma $1,315,789
South Carolina $1,184,211
Texas $1,052.632
Utah $1,184,211
Washington $1,052.632
Wyoming $1,052.632
Total $22,200,000
Additional information on EQIP can be found at www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip.
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Tagged: EQIP, usda, NRCS, livestock producers, Natural Resources Conservation Service
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