Financial assistance available to Oregon farmers, ranchers, forest owners

Next application deadline November 17, 2023

PORTLAND, Ore. – (October 16, 2023) — The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Oregon announces funding available for Oregon farmers, ranchers and forest owners to perform voluntary conservation activities on their land.

Farm Bill funding for this sign-up period is available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Applicants should apply by November 17, 2023 to be considered for the first round of fiscal year 2024 funding.

To learn more and apply for available funding in your area, contact your local USDA Service Center or apply online at farmers.gov.

The November 17 deadline applies to the following:

• General EQIP: In Oregon, general EQIP dollars are available to producers within a Conservation Implementation Strategy (CIS) area. CIS’s are locally-led projects developed by farmers and partners through the NRCS Local Work Group process.
• Organic EQIP: Offers assistance to USDA certified organic producers and to producers wishing to transition their operation to obtain an organic certification.
• Seasonal High Tunnel EQIP: Offers assistance to install a seasonal high tunnel (hoop house) to extend seasonal crop production to strengthen local and regional food markets while reducing pesticide use and energy inputs.
• On-Farm Energy EQIP: Assists producers to conserve energy on their farms through an on-farm energy audit and provides assistance to implement various recommended measures identified in an energy audit.
• Sage Grouse Initiative EQIP: Focuses on making measurable and significant progress toward treating threats to rangeland health including sage grouse habitat on private lands.
• Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Initiative: These projects focus on reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire on private forestlands and adjacent federal lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Funding is available in Wasco and Grant counties.
• National Water Quality Initiative: NRCS works closely with conservation partners to select priority watersheds where on-farm conservation investments will deliver the greatest water quality improvements.
• National Air Quality Initiative (NAQI): In Oregon, NAQI funding is available to farmers in Hood River County to help orchard producers reduce the use of high-emission, diesel-fuel smudge pots which are commonly used to protect crops from damaging spring frosts. NRCS is providing a financial incentive to help growers remove smudge pots from their operations, so they can be replaced with cleaner, more efficient systems. Funding is available in Hood River and Wasco counties.
• Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): NRCS Oregon has IRA funding available statewide to target the following: Cropland, Forestland, Rangeland, Pastureland, Energy and Animal Feeding Operations. IRA funds are in addition to Farm Bill funds. Producers contracting through IRA must implement Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry
• Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP): RCPP promotes the coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners that offer value-added contributions to expand our collective ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. Farmers, ranchers and forest owners who manage property within a current RCPP project area may be eligible for conservation assistance from NRCS and other partners. This year we have 12 RCPP project areas throughout the state that will have general sign-ups. See the Oregon project map for RCPP locations.

Learn More & Apply Visit the Oregon EQIP webpage for more information about NRCS Oregon EQIP funding opportunities and program eligibility. Learn more about Oregon RCPP and how to apply here. Search for current projects and funding opportunities specific to your county by visiting the “What’s Available in My County?” webpage.

Interested applicants can also contact their local USDA Service Center to inquire about active projects in their county and apply for assistance.

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The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service provides financial and technical assistance to voluntary farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to implement conservation practices on private lands. By working collectively with partners and stakeholders, NRCS helps maintain healthy and productive working landscapes, benefitting both environmental and agricultural needs. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).