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Michelle C. Pedano; District Conservationist, Vineland Service Center; USDA-NRCS
HAMILTON SQUARE, N.J., Sept. 20, 2023 – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA)
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in New Jersey is now accepting FY2024 applications for
the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), climate-smart practices through EQIP funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) program, and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).
And new this year under EQIP-IRA are the following opportunities:
Cover crop, no-till and minimum tillage can be implemented on ground that has already been under
contract by the same producer.
The Tree Mortality Initiative – Hazardous tree mitigation practices for Ash, Atlantic White Cedar, Yellow Pine and other declining tree species that are a threat to cropland or pastures. Applications are available through your local USDA Service Center and online at https://www.nrcs.usda. gov/getting-assistance/get-started-with-nrcs.
While NRCS accepts applications year-round, New Jersey producers and landowners should apply by
October 20, 2023 to be considered for funding in the current cycle. NRCS is increasing Climate-Smart
Agricultural and Forestry Mitigation Activities eligible for Inflation Reduction Act funding for fiscal year 2024 through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). These in-demand activities are expected to deliver reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or increases in carbon sequestration as well as significant other benefits to natural resources like soil health, water quality, pollinator and wildlife habitat and air quality. In response to feedback received from conservation partners, producers and NRCS staff across the country, NRCS considered and evaluated activities based on scientific literature demonstrating expected climate change mitigation benefits. To learn more, download the list of practices and a fact sheet.