Sign Up Announced
for Energy Conservation, High Tunnels and Organic Practices
Sign up by Feb. 3
RENO, Dec. 13 -- The USDA Natural
Resources Conservation Service is announcing three special initiatives for
conservation funding. Bruce Petersen, Nevada state conservationist,
announced that the Organic, On-Farm Energy and Seasonal High Tunnel Initiatives
are being offered through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program of the
2008 Farm Bill. Interested producers must sign up by Feb. 3 to be
considered in the first batching and ranking period.
Organic Initiative
Certified organic producers and
those producers who are considering a transition to organic production methods
are encouraged to participate in the Organic Initiative. Participants are
eligible for up to $20,000 in annual payments not to exceed $80,000 payment
limit over a 6-year period.
Certified organic producers must
provide a copy of their Organic System Plan (OSP) and organic certification must
be maintained for the life of the contract. Producers transitioning to
organic production must self certify that they agree to develop and implement an
OSP and provide contact information of the applicant’s USDA accredited organic
certifying agent before an EQIP contract can be approved. Organic
producers selling less than $5,000 per year in organic agricultural products are
exempt from the organic certification but are still eligible for the EQIP
Organic Initiative. Funding is also available for applicants to develop
Conservation Activity Plans provided by a registered third party technical
service provider.
On-Farm Energy Initiative
The On-Farm Energy Initiative
helps producers install energy conserving practices such as residue/tillage
management, irrigation water management, pumping plants, windbreaks or
shelterbelts, and farmstead energy improvements. Producers must provide proof
of operational energy savings for conservation measures to be installed.
Receipts, invoices or records of historical energy consumption will be used to
determine the potential benefits of the new, proposed practices during the
ranking process. For energy measures installed on headquarters and agricultural
buildings, producers work with technical service providers to develop an Ag
Energy Management Plan. Funding to implement the AgEMP is also available through
this initiative.
Seasonal High Tunnels
Under the Seasonal High Tunnel
Initiative, participants may install high tunnels that total up to 2,178 square
feet in size. Payments are based on the size of the high tunnel being planned
and installed.
For these initiatives, if funds
are still available after the first ranking period, subsequent ranking and
batching deadlines will be March 30 and June 1, 2012. Producers must meet all
USDA program eligibility criteria to participate.
For complete details and to apply for funding,
contact your
local NRCS office.
Funding
Available for USDA Sage-Grouse Conservation Initiative
RENO, Dec. 12 -- The USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service is offering financial incentives to farmers and ranchers
willing to protect sage-grouse habitat. Bruce Petersen, Nevada State
Conservationist, said applications must be submitted by Jan. 13 for the first
ranking period.
“The Sage-Grouse Initiative helps ranchers and
farmers be proactive in keeping the bird from being listed under the Endangered
Species Act and reducing the potential for future regulations to protect the
species,” said Petersen.
The Sage grouse Initiative helps producers install
conservation practices that enhance sage grouse habitat such as brush
management, range seeding, water developments, prescribed grazing and fencing.
Payments are based on 75 percent of the estimated cost of establishing the
practices. Beginning, limited resource and socially disadvantaged producers may
be eligible for up to 90 percent of the estimated costs. Funding is being
offered through the 2008 Farm Bill’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program
(EQIP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP).
Private and public lands can be enrolled under EQIP,
with a $300,000 payment limit for the program through the period of the 2008
Farm Bill. WHIP allows for installation of practices on private and tribal
lands and has a $50,000 annual payment limit. Applicants must meet all USDA
program eligibility criteria to participate in Farm Bill conservation programs.
Producers may apply at any time for SGI funding but
applications must be received by Jan. 13 to be considered in the first ranking
period for fiscal year 2012 funding. Depending on the availability of funds,
additional applications will be ranked on March 30 and June 1.
For more
information or to apply for funding, contact your
local NRCS office.
Funding Available to
Restore Lands Impacted by 2011 Wildfires
The USDA Natural
Resources Conservation Service is offering funding to agricultural producers to
restore land impacted by the 2011 wildfires. Bruce Petersen, Nevada state
conservationist, announced that the NRCS is offering funding under the
Environmental Quality Incentives Program for ranchers and farmers to apply
necessary conservation practices on lands damaged by fires.
“We need to act now to
repair the land damaged by the wildfires,” Petersen said. He stated that the
2011 fires severely impacted lands that provide critical habitat for several
wildlife species of concern including sage-grouse, and negatively impacted
livestock grazing operations dependent on these areas for forage.
Eligible conservation
practices may include erosion control structures, rangeland seeding, fencing to
protect sensitive areas and grazing management.
Farmers and ranchers
must meet EQIP eligibility requirements. Private and public lands may be
enrolled into the program. Applicants are encouraged to apply by November 18 to
be considered for this year’s funding cycle.
Payment rates for
practices are based on a percentage, usually 75 percent, of the typical costs
for installation of the practices. Beginning, limited resource and socially
disadvantaged producers may be eligible for higher payment rates not to exceed
90 percent.
NRCS will coordinate
treatment alternatives and activities with public land management agencies for
applicants who include public lands.
For more information
or to apply for funding, contact your local NRCS office.
Getto Family Legacy Recognized by Nevada Centennial Awards Program
100 Years and Counting
RENO, Sept. 14, 2010 – Next month, two long-time Fallon families will be
inducted into the Nevada Centennial Ranch and Farm Awards Program. Virgil and
Robert Getto still live on the land that was purchased by their fathers, Andrew
and John Getto, in 1911.
“It is always a privilege and an honor to recognize these families who
represent the rich legacy of Nevada’s agriculture,” said Bruce Petersen, Nevada
State Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
John and Andrew Getto immigrated to America from Italy and purchased about
150 acres with their friend and partner, Ed Frazzini. The Getto brothers bought
out Frazzini and agreed to let the Carson River divide the acreage into a north
and south portion. John took the south side; Andrew, the north. Over the
decades, they each added more parcels to their farms.
In the early days, the Gettos cleared the land with teams of horses and grew
potatoes, alfalfa, wheat, corn and oats, and raised livestock. Later, each
brother started a dairy. Now operated by their sons Mike and John, the farms
raise alfalfa hay, teff grain and pasture.
The Nevada Centennial Awards ceremony will be held on Oct. 15 at the
Churchill County Museum in Fallon.
“The Centennial Awards Program acknowledges the deep roots Nevada’s ranchers
and farmers have with the land,” said Dennis Hellwinkel, project manager for the
Agricultural Council of Nevada. “It is a celebration of Nevada’s agriculture
and farm families who feed the world and care for the land.”
Centennial status is given to farms and ranches that have been in the same
family for 100 years or more. Forty-three families have received Nevada
Centennial status since the program started in 2004. The Centennial Awards
Program is sponsored by the Agricultural Council of Nevada, USDA Natural
Resources Conservation Service, Nevada Farm Bureau, Nevada Ag Foundation, Nevada
Heritage Foundation, Nevada Cattlemen’s Assoc., and Nevada Dept. of Agriculture.
For more information about the Centennial Awards Program, visit the Nevada
NRCS Web site at
http://www.nv.nrcs.usda.gov/centennial_awards.html.or contact Liz Warner,
(775) 857-8500 x 105 or
liz.warner@nv.usda.gov.
#
America’s farmers and ranchers are one of our
nation’s greatest assets. Not only do we rely on our American agriculture for
our food, feed, fiber, and fuel, our agricultural producers preserve our
environment and help drive our national economy. Please take a minute to thank a
farmer or rancher for all they do.
Apply before Oct. 28 for Conservation
Funding
The Natural Resources Conservation Service is offering financial
and technical assistance to help agricultural producers apply
conservation practices on their private land as well as their
public land allotments. Producers are encouraged to apply for
the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Agricultural
Management Assistance or Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program by
Oct. 28 to be considered in the next funding cycle.
EQIP is a voluntary, financial assistance program that helps
fund conservation practices to protect sage-grouse habitat,
control weeds, improve irrigation efficiency, and reduce soil
loss. This year, the NRCS awarded nearly 100 EQIP contracts in
Nevada totaling more than $8 million.
“EQIP is adaptable to meet the various needs of our landowners
and address their natural resource challenges,” said Bruce
Petersen, Nevada NRCS State Conservationist.
Farmers transitioning to organic production or who are already
certified as an organic producer by the Nevada Dept. of
Agriculture may qualify for EQIP. Organic
producers can receive up to $20,000 per year or $80,000 over six
years through this program.
AMA provides financial assistance to producers to voluntarily
address issues such as water management, water quality, and
erosion control. Producers may construct or improve water
management or irrigation structures, plant trees for windbreaks
or to improve water quality, and mitigate risk through
production diversification or resource conservation practices,
including soil erosion control, integrated pest management, or
transitioning to organic farming. In 2011, 18 contracts were
awarded in Nevada for over $77,000.
WHIP is a voluntary program for conservation-minded landowners
who want to develop and improve wildlife habitat on agricultural
land. Nine contracts were awarded in Nevada this year, for
$625,000.
According to Gary Roeder, Assistant State Conservationist for
Programs, applications for EQIP, AMA and WHIP are accepted
year-round; however periodic closing dates are announced so that
applications can be ranked. “Applications received before 4:00
pm on October 28 will be considered in the next ranking period,”
said Roeder.
The amount of financial assistance producers receive varies by
program and will depend on future allocations received under the
2008 Farm Bill. Limited resource, beginning and socially
disadvantaged producers may be eligible for larger payments.
To learn more, contact your local NRCS office or go online to
http://www.nv.nrcs.usda.gov.
USDA Settling Lawsuits with Women, Native
American, Hispanic, Black Agricultural Producers
(CARSON CITY, Nev., July 6, 2011) –
The US Department of Agriculture is actively resolving issues of
discrimination brought forward by Native American, Black,
Hispanic and female farmers and ranchers. USDA has already
settled class actions with Black and Native American farmers and
ranchers and is in the process of informing Hispanic and women’s
organizations about an offer of compensation for those who
assert they experienced discrimination in farm loans, loan
servicing, or equal access to credit during the 1980s and 1990s.
“We are striving
to turn the page to provide an equally high level of service to
all of our borrowers and absolutely everyone who does business
with us,” said Sarah Adler, Nevada State Director for USDA Rural
Development.
Women, Native
American, Hispanic and Black agricultural producers who feel
they may have been discriminated against by USDA are encouraged
to visit the appropriate Web site or call the toll free number
for more information.
“USDA is taking
steps to ensure that discrimination is a thing of the past,”
said Clint Koble, US Department of Agriculture Farm Service
Agency Farm Service Agency State Executive Director. “Our goal
is to become a model department serving our farmers, ranchers,
rural communities and employees.”
Persons requiring special
accommodations or materials in an alternative format or language
should contact Liz Warner, Public Affairs Officer, (775)
857.8500 x 105. A Nevada relay TTY/English/Spanish is available
by calling 7-1-1.
En Espanol
USDA resuelve demanda con mujeres, indio-americanos, hispanos y
agricultores negros
(CARSON CITY, Nevada., 6 de Julio, 2011) – El Departamento de
Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA por sus siglas en
ingles) está activamente resolviendo la cuestión de
discriminación hecha por agricultores y ganaderos
indio-americanos, negros, hispanos y mujeres. USDA ya ha
resuelto la demanda de grupo con los agricultores y ganaderos
negros e indio-americanos y está en proceso de informar
organizaciones de mujeres e hispanos de una oferta de
compensación para aquellos que fueron víctimas de discriminación
al solicitar préstamos agrícolas, administración de un préstamo
agrícola, o igualdad de acceso a crédito durante los años 1980
a 1990.
“Nosotros estamos luchando por pasar la
página para poder proveer servicio de alta calidad para todos
nuestros clientes y absolutamente a todos los que comercian con
nosotros,” dijo Sarah Adler, directora estatal de Nevada para
USDA Desarrollo Rural.
Mujeres, indio-americanos, hispanos y
agricultores negros que sienten que fueron víctimas de
discriminación por el USDA están alentados a visitar el sitio de
internet apropiado o llamar el número sin costo de conexión para
más informes.
--30-
Personas que requieren asistencia especial o materiales en un formato
alternativo o lenguaje deberían contactar a Liz Warner, relaciones
públicas, (775) 857.8500 x 105.
Transmisión por telescritora en inglés y español está disponible
llamando al 7-1-1
Public Comment Sought at Nevada State
Technical Committee Meeting on June 15
Held by Videoconference from the Nevada
Farm Bureau, 9 am to 3 pm
RENO, May 9, 2011 – The Nevada State
Technical Committee will meet on June 15 to discuss Farm Bill programs
administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
“We have some critical issues to discuss and
would appreciate input from producers, partners and conservation
groups,” said Bruce Petersen, Nevada state conservationist for the NRCS.
Funding for energy-efficient irrigation
systems, converted agricultural land, invasive weed control, and
conservation practices installed on public land are among the topics to
be discussed.
“We’d like to know if we’re spending Farm
Bill money in the right places and on the right practices,” said
Petersen.
The meeting will be held by videoconference from the
Nevada Farm Bureau office, 2165 Green Vista Dr., #205, Sparks, NV
89431. The videoconference will begin at 9:00 am and end at 3:00
pm, or sooner if all topics are covered.
The remote video locations will be located in:
Battle Mountain—Cooperative Extension,
815 N. Second Street, 89820-2326
Caliente—Cooperative Extension, 360
Lincoln Street, 89008-0728
Carson City—Western Nevada College,
Reynolds Building, Room 102, 2201 West College Parkway, 89703
Elko—Great Basin College, High Tech
Center, #121, 1290 Burns Rd., 89801
Ely—Cooperative Extension, 995 Campton
Street, 89301-0210
Eureka—Cooperative Extension, 701 S.
Main Street, Annex Building, 89316-0613
Fallon—Cooperative Extension, 111
Sheckler Road, 89406
Las Vegas—location pending; please call
(702) 262-9047 for location information
Owyhee—Great Basin College SPHE, Hwy.
225, 89832
Tonopah—Cooperative Extension, #1
Frankie St., Old Courthouse, 89049-0231
Winnemucca—Cooperative Extension, 1085
Fairgrounds Road, 89445-2927
Yerington—Cooperative Extension, 504 S.
Main, 89447
For more information, call (775) 857-8500,
go online to
www.nv.nrcs.usda.gov or contact your local NRCS office.
News Release (PDF; 25KB)
Meeting Flyer (PDF; 742KB)
Sign-in Sheet (DOC; 30KB)
USDA Announces Opportunity for Organic Producers to Implement
Conservation Practices
WASHINGTON, April 11, 2011 – USDA’s Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Dave White has announced
another funding opportunity for certified organic producers and those
transitioning to organic production to implement resource conservation
practices on their agricultural operations.
While applications are accepted on a continuous basis, the cutoff date
for this application period is set for May 20, 2011.
“Organic growers continue to express interest in program support to
implement conservation practices,” White said. “This additional
opportunity will allow more producers to get assistance in protecting
the natural resources on their land and creating conditions that help
foster organic production.”
Fiscal year 2011 marks the third year of USDA’s Organic Initiative. Up
to $50 million is available this year to help producers to plan and
implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns
in ways that are consistent with organic production. For example,
conservation practices might include planting cover crops, establishing
integrated pest management plans, constructing seasonal high tunnels, or
implementing nutrient management systems consistent with organic
certification standards.
Eligible producers include those certified through USDA’s
National Organic Program, those transitioning to certified organic
production, and those who meet organic standards but are exempt from
certification because their gross annual organic sales are less than
$5,000.
Organic Initiative funding is provided through NRCS’s
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a voluntary
conservation program that promotes agricultural production and
environmental quality as compatible national goals. The 2008 Farm Bill
provided assistance specifically for organic farm operations and those
converting to organic production.
Under EQIP Organic Initiative contracts, NRCS provides financial
payments and technical assistance to help producers implement
conservation measures in keeping with organic production. Beginning,
limited resource, and socially disadvantaged producers may obtain
additional assistance. The 2008 Farm Bill limits EQIP payments for
organic operations to $20,000 per year per person or legal entity, with
a maximum total of $80,000 over six years.
Producers interested in applying for EQIP Organic Initiative funding
must submit applications through their local Nevada NRCS office, which
can be located on the Web at
http://www.nv.nrcs.usda.gov/contact.
en Espanol (http://www.usda.gov/documents/Comunicado_No_0085.11sp.pdf)
- Secretario de Agricultura Vilsack y Fiscal General Adjunto West
Anuncian Proceso para Resolver Reclamaciones de Discriminación contra
Agricultores Hispanos y Mujeres Agricultoras
Farm Bill Funds Available for Conservation Practices on Public Lands
February 24, 2011 - For many years, Nevada’s
farmers and ranchers have received funding under the Farm Bill for
conservation activities on their private land. Now with the passage of
the newest Farm Bill, public land permittees are able to receive funding
for conservation measures installed on public lands.
“Funding contracts on public lands is a
relatively new opportunity for farmers and ranchers in Nevada,” said
Gary Roeder, assistant state conservationist for programs with the
Natural Resources Conservation Service. “We work with the permittee and
land managing agency, such as the Bureau of Land Management and Forest
Service, to identify projects and areas where natural resource and
public benefits can be enhanced with the use of Farm Bill funds on
public lands”, said Roeder.
“We funded several public land contracts
last year under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program of the 2008
Farm Bill,” said Roeder. These contracts included a wide range of
practices such as fencing, pinyon – juniper reduction, brush management,
and site specific improvements for sage-grouse habitat restoration.
To qualify, applicants must be the permittee
on the public land where the work is being done, and meet eligibility
requirements of the 2008 Farm Bill for the program. The same payment
rates apply for both the public and private land. Historically
underserved, beginning and limited resource producers receive a higher
percentage payment. Payments are determined by the estimated cost of the
project practices. All environmental clearances must be completed on
public land according to the agency’s policies before practices can be
contracted and installed. Program participants pay for the installation
of the approved practices and are reimbursed once the practices are
installed according to NRCS specifications.
Applications for participation in EQIP are
taken on a continual basis at local USDA Service Centers. Projects are
ranked and selected for funding based on the project benefits as related
to other applicants. For more information, contact your local NRCS
office or visit the Nevada NRCS Web site at
http://www.nv.nrcs.usda.gov..
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