Funding opportunities for your farm

By Doug Billman, CCA, TSP, Twinbill Agricultural Services

Are you aware that your local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) office has funding available to support your farming and conservation practices through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)? There are around 80 EQIP practices that you could be qualified for to receive funding!

 For example, you could receive anywhere from $30 to $138 per acre to implement various EQIP practices such as grid soil test sampling (217), manure injection nutrient management practices (590), and pest management conservation systems (595). There are also many more farming and conservation practices that NRCS can assist producers in their operations.

If you need to make facility improvements, EQIP is here to assist with structural improvements for your farm, like various manure storage systems and water control systems, just to name a few.

I hope this sparked your curiosity enough to set up an appointment with your local NRCS District Conservationist (DC) from your county and visit with them about your conservation goals. They will be able to advise and provide information regarding cost-sharing initiatives that can assist you with your conservation goals.

 After you visit your local NRCS office, there are steps you will need to take to move forward with your conservation plans. Once you have developed a plan with your DC, most producers will need to complete a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) if your operation uses manure for crop nutrients. Otherwise, a Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) through the EQIP DIA 157 will likely be required. Please note that NRCS pays participating producers to contract with a Technical Service Provider (TSP) to complete this essential information. NRCS will provide you with a list of approved TSPs qualified to prepare a plan for you.

The selected TSP will need the following information from your operation in order to start the planning process:

1. A current soil test (no older than two years) for all fields included in the contract.
2. A five-year crop rotation plan, including cover crops if applicable.
3. Reasonable production goals for each crop in the rotation.
4. If you have livestock, you will need a current manure analysis taken close to the time the plan is implemented. The TSP will provide guidance on how to collect manure samples if needed.

This is just a small example of the many EQIP opportunities available to producers. Financial assistance is also available for forestry, grazing, organic transition, and other farming practices. Contact your local NRCS office TODAY!

Career opportunities as a Technical Service Provider

Did you know that there is a shortage of qualified NRCS technical service providers? For those of you who are reading this article and are already a Certified Crop Advisor, did you know that the American Society of Agronomy has made it much easier for you to become a TSP through their educational program in partnership with NRCS? This provides a wonderful opportunity for you to offer your clients additional services going forward, including nutrient management programs and other farming practices they may need. Current CCAs who have already worked on H2Ohio NMP will be pleased to know that NRCS uses the MyFarms Program to complete the DIA 157 CNMP/NMP. As a CCA, you can access the TSP training program through the ASA Science Societies online learning center.

The TSP training includes a three-hour online seminar with an exam. An application form will then need to be completed, and you will receive additional information from NRCS in order to become certified as a TSP.

As agriculturalists in the state of Ohio, we need to be very aware of our cropping and fertility systems, and nutrient management is the first step we need to take to ensure we control costs and maintain environmental stewardship for Ohio’s future.

For those of you who enjoy crop production, helping farmers, and are passionate about the future of production agriculture in the state of Ohio, I encourage you to consider becoming a certified crop advisor and, if you are interested, a technical service provider.