Ranking Dates for NRCS Cost-share Programs

Morgantown, WV—Application ranking dates have been extended for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) programs in West Virginia. All Farm Bill programs may be applied for at any time but they have different ranking closing dates. Applications received after the ranking date are held until the next round.

EQIP is a conservation program for farmers and ranchers that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible goals. EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants install or implement structural and management practices on agricultural land. The first ranking date for selecting new applications is February 18, 2005. The second ranking date is set for April 15, 2005.

GRP is a program that helps landowners and operators restore and protect grassland, while maintaining the areas as grazing lands. The program places heavy emphasis in protecting grasslands under the greatest threat of conversion. Conversion issues include the loss of grassland to urban land, cropland, or grassland being lost to invasive species. February18, 2005 is the end of the ranking period.

Application deadlines for other Farm Bill programs remain the same as previously announced.

The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) program develops and improves wildlife habitat primarily on private land. WHIP ends its second ranking period on April 1, 2005. Applications received after April 1 will be held until the June 17 ranking.

The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) offers landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property through easements and restoration cost-share agreements. The remaining 2005 ranking dates are April 1, 2005, and June 17, 2005.

Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) provides cost share assistance to agricultural producers to address issues like water management, water quality, and erosion control by incorporating conservation into their farming operations. The 2005 ranking period ends March 4.

For more information, please contact your local USDA Service Center, listed in the telephone book under U.S. Department of Agriculture, or your local conservation district. Information also is available on the World Wide Web at: http://www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov/

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