AgEBB-MU CAFNR Extension

Green Horizons

Volume 22, Number 2
Spring 2018

Agroforestry

Missouri Agroforestry and Woody Crop Establishment Funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

By Lauren Cartwright| Missouri Natural Resources Conservation Service

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is an agency of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) that is responsible for assisting landowners to address resource concerns on private land to improve our soil, water, air, plants, animals (both domestic and wild), and improve energy efficiency. The vision of NRCS is to ensure productive lands in harmony with a healthy environment.

Agroforestry is a unique land management approach that intentionally blends agriculture and forestry to enhance productivity, profitability, and environmental stewardship. In 2010, the USDA-NRCS and USDA Forest Service, along with numerous other partners and stakeholders, developed the USDA Agroforestry Strategic Framework to increase awareness and support for agroforestry across the country. As a result, starting in fiscal year 2017, NRCS in Missouri offered a dedicated funding pool for Agroforestry and Woody Crop Establishment within the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

In Fiscal Year 2017, Missouri NRCS obligated $41,579 in funding into contracts to producers to implement agroforestry or establish woody crops. These contracts included practices such as Alley Cropping, Windbreak/ Shelterbelt Establishment, Silvopasture Establishment and Tree/Shrub Establishment.

The Fiscal Year 2018 application deadline was November 17, 2017 and Missouri NRCS is currently completing the process of offering funding to eligible applicants. As of April 2, 2018, $87,000 in funding has been offered to eligible applicants for Agroforestry and Woody Crop Establishment.

Producers interested in applying for funding through EQIP for Agroforestry and Woody Crop Establishment can submit an application to their local NRCS office at any time. These applications will be held for consideration for funding for the Fiscal Year 2019 EQIP funding period. The application form is available here. The deadline for applications to be submitted for Fiscal Year 2019 funding has not been established yet. Once a deadline is determined it will be posted here.

To submit an application and make an appointment to visit with an NRCS certified conservation planner, contact your local USDA Service Center (https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app).

Online resources to learn more about NRCS and EQIP:

National NRCS Webpage https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/national/home/

Missouri NRCS Webpage https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/mo/home/

University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry, Agroforesty in Action publication Using NRCS Technical and Financial Assistance for Agroforestry and Woody Crop Establishment through the Environmental Quality Incentives

Program (EQIP). http://www.centerforagroforestry.org/pubs/NRCS_AgroforestryandWoodyCrop.pdf