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Michelle Pedano NRCS; Michelle.Pedano@usda.gov
Hamilton Square, N.J., October 6, 2023 – The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
in New Jersey is now accepting applications for climate-smart practices through Environmental
Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Applications through
ACT NOW funding for cover crop, no-till and reduced (minimum) tillage practices may be accelerated
if a threshold ranking score is met.
Through this unique opportunity, producers can qualify for these practices on ground that have
already been under contract by the same producer. Cover crop, no-till and reduced tillage must
address an existing resource concern to be eligible for funding and can be contracted for up to
five years.
While NRCS accepts applications year-round, NRCS-NJ has established its first rank batching cutoff
date for ACT NOW cover crop, no-till and reduced tillage funding for November 17, 2023.
Applications submitted prior to the cut-off will be assessed and ranked as soon as they are
received.
Based on fund availability, application assessments with a ranking score at or above the
established ranking threshold will be preapproved immediately, allowing the applicant to ACT NOW
and achieve contract approval to begin practice installation without being evaluated against other
submitted assessments. Application assessment ranking scores less than 20 points will be batched
and funded in ranking order as funding allows.
For more details on EQIP, please contact your local USDA Service Center ( Michelle Pedano, Vineland
Service Center, Natural Resources Conservation Service, (856) 285-7678 Ext. 3, 1318 S Main Rd Bldg.
5A, Vineland, NJ 08360-6511) or visit https://www.nj.nrcs.usda.gov.