If you are a farmer or rancher, there has never been a better time to apply for popular conservation programs offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In Iowa and South Dakota, the deadline to submit initial paperwork for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is Nov. 3. The deadline in Nebraska is Nov. 17.
For years, CSP and EQIP have provided financial and technical assistance to implement beneficial practices on agricultural lands, like cover crops and rotational grazing. In 2022 alone, 1.7 million acres were enrolled in CSP and EQIP in Nebraska. Iowa had more than half of a million acres, and South Dakota had 2 million acres enrolled.
While popular, the programs usually have limited funding. In recent memory, it has been difficult to be accepted into them, even with a strong application.
Source: cfra.org
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Categories: South Dakota, Business