USDA Invests $10 Million to Support Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry 

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is holding a targeted signup to support climate-smart agriculture and forestry through voluntary conservation practices in Florida and nine other states.

This assistance, available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), will help agricultural producers implement conservation practices that sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change on working lands.

Agriculture producers can sign up in Florida from June 28 through July 9.

“Agricultural producers are the best stewards of our lands and waters, and they play a critical role in climate change mitigation,” said Juan Hernandez, NRCS State Conservationist in Florida. “By working with our partner groups across the state, we will strive to ensure funds are equitably distributed, including to our historically underserved producers.”

Through EQIP, NRCS provides agricultural producers and landowners with financial assistance and one-on-one technical support to plan and implement voluntary conservation practices. The outcomes benefit producers and the environment, with producers conserving natural resources while building resiliency to strengthen their working land.

NRCS will rank applications for funding based on expected climate change mitigation benefits. Priority conservation categories in Florida are: 
•    Building soil health.
•    Improving nitrogen management.
•    Enhancing grazing and pasture management.
•    Improving agroforestry, forestry and upland wildlife habitat.

For more information about how to apply, contact your local NRCS field office.

In addition to Florida, producers in Arkansas, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin can also apply for this current funding opportunity. States were selected based on demand for additional support for climate-smart practices. This opportunity will be expanded across all states and programs in fiscal year 2022.