The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA/NRCS) in Florida is accepting applications for disaster assistance from agricultural landowners and producers recovering from damages caused by Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton. The funding will provide technical and financial assistance through the Emergency Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
Approximately $26 million will be made available for applicants to address resource concerns on their land. The sign-up period for this disaster assistance is Oct. 18 to Dec. 20. See how to get assistance.
NRCS Florida will evaluate disaster assistance applications using the ACT NOW process. ACT NOW allows NRCS to pre-approve ranked applications when the ranking score meets or exceeds an established threshold score. The minimum threshold ranking score for EQIP disaster assistance funding is 50 points. Applications will be batched and processed in the order received.
EQIP disaster assistance funding is targeted to the following conservation practices:
• High tunnel system
• Emergency animal mortality management
• Woody residue treatment
• Bivalve aquaculture gear and biofouling control
• Sprinkler system (center pivots)
• Mulching
• Nutrient management
• Pest management conservation system
• Tree/shrub establishment
To expedite hurricane disaster recovery, Florida NRCS is offering early-start waivers to allow commencement of conservation practices prior to program contract approval. More information is available from Amber Till (amber.till@usda.gov), assistant state conservationist for programs – financial assistance.
A webinar about the program is scheduled for Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join the Zoom meeting:
- https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1606683390
- Meeting ID: 160 668 3390
Florida counties targeted for EQIP disaster assistance include: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, Desoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia and Wakulla.
Source: USDA NRCS
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