WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) will be joined by U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Dave White tomorrow to announce $1 million in available funding through an Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) pilot project. Funding for the Irrigation and Conservation Efficiency Pilot Project, which is administered by NRCS, is available to farmers through an application process, with priority given to limited resource and socially disadvantaged applicants.
“Too many farmers in North Carolina’s First Congressional District have a particularly tough time growing their crop due to drought and irrigation system failures,” said Congressman Butterfield. “We saw a need amongst farmers and worked with NRCS to make this money available to disadvantaged producers. These funds will give farmers a seat at the table by helping them to make necessary improvements in their operations.”
NRCS identified 23 counties in the Northern Coastal Plain region to be part of the pilot project which focuses Farm Bill assistance to address water quality and quantity, and other conservation needs on agricultural lands.
The 23 counties eligible to participate in the special project are Granville, Vance, Warren, Halifax, Northampton, Hertford, Gates, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Chowan, Bertie, Washington, Martin, Edgecombe, Nash, Wilson, Pitt, Beaufort, Craven, Jones, Greene, Lenoir and Wayne.
To be eligible, applicants must be actively engaged in farming and control the land enrolled in EQIP. Cropland needing conservation measures associated with irrigation must be shown to have the history of being irrigated by some means during at least two of the last five years. Approved applicants will receive conservation plans explaining how to implement conservation practices. EQIP provides conservation practice payments at pre-determined levels, based on typical cost.
For more information on NRCS, EQIP, this special project or planning conservation practices on your land, please visit your nearest NRCS field office. Local contact information is available at www.nc.nrcs.usda.gov. The application process is open.
WHO: Congressman G. K. Butterfield and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Dave White
WHAT: A special announcement regarding a $1 million special Farm Bill project for 23 counties in North Carolina
WHEN: Friday, July 27 at 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Williamston Telecenter, 415 East Boulevard, Williamston, NC 27892