Missouri NRCS offers accelerated EQIP for livestock watering

By Blake Jackson

The Missouri Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering accelerated Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) ACT NOW funding to support livestock watering improvements in response to severe drought in a five-county region. Producers in Bates, Vernon, Barton, St. Clair, and Cedar counties may qualify for this funding. This streamlined funding approach simplifies the application process, particularly for underserved producers.

Eligible conservation practices include critical area planting, fencing, grade stabilization structures, heavy use area protection, livestock pipelines, ponds, pumping plants, rural water connections, spring development, water wells, and watering facilities. Livestock must be present on the farm, and the operation must lack access to a sufficient water source. Projects can involve the development of a primary water source and must include a single livestock water delivery point.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is NRCS's flagship conservation program, assisting farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in integrating conservation into their working lands. EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits like improved water and air quality, groundwater and surface water conservation, reduced soil erosion, improved soil health, and habitat improvement.

Applications for EQIP ACT NOW livestock watering funding are open until December 15, 2023. Eligible applications meeting a minimum threshold will receive immediate preapproval, allowing applicants to ACT NOW. Applications below the minimum threshold will be batched and funded in ranking order as funding permits. This program aims to bolster the resiliency of livestock operations in the region affected by prolonged drought conditions.

For more information about NRCS programs and assistance, visit www.mo.nrcs.usda.gov or contact Missouri Programs at (573) 876-0901 or MO.Programs@usda.gov.
 

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