As a result of the recent natural disaster, State Conservationist Terrance O. Rudolph of the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced a new Hurricane Helene Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) related sign-up for livestock producers in 55 counties of Georgia and an extension of the Fiscal Year 2025 EQIP statewide sign-up that was announced on October 1, 2024. Those livestock producers applying for Hurricane Helene EQIP related assistance will need to apply by November 15, 2024, to ensure timely use of special funds made available due to the storm. The statewide general EQIP sign-up extension will now conclude December 13, 2024.

“We realize many of our customers are hurting and focused on rebuilding their farms right now,” said Rudolph. “We hope this special sign-up and extension will give much needed relief in the way of funding and time to breath, for those who need it most.”

While customers can apply year-round for their normal resource concerns covered through the general EQIP sign-up, the Hurricane Helene EQIP related sign-up is limited to Emergency Animal Mortality Management (conservation practice code 368), and Waste Facility Closure, Soil Remediation (conservation practice code 360), and associated practices, and only to producers whose operations are located in Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Dodge, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Glynn, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, McDuffie, McIntosh, Montgomery, Pierce, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Tattnall, Telfair, Thomas, Tift, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, and Wheeler Counties.

Georgia NRCS will be utilizing ACT NOW to process these Hurricane Helene EQIP related applications to deliver conservation faster. ACT NOW allows NRCS to immediately approve and obligate a ranked application that meets a minimum score threshold of 35. This means no longer having to wait for all applications to be reviewed and preapproved for these contracts to be awarded and get started. Applications selected through ACT NOW will be batched and processed in the order received.

Customers should discuss these sign-up options with their local conservationist to see if any are right for them.

NRCS conservationists work with producers to assess the conservation needs on their land; identify resource concerns and opportunities; help determine objectives and recommend solutions - participation is 100% voluntary.

EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.

How to Apply
NRCS accepts applications for conservation programs year-round, but to be included in this funding batch, interested producers can apply at their local USDA Service Center by submitting a Conservation Program Application (NRCS-CPA-1200) by the dates mentioned above. Additional sign-up batches may be announced later, subject to the availability of funding.

Historically Underserved Producer Benefits
As a reminder, historically underserved producers approved for funding through EQIP, qualify for the advanced payment option.  This option allows these producers to get conservation practice payments in advance of the practice implementation.

A historically underserved producer is described as one of the below:

• Beginning Farmer or Rancher – is new to farming or ranching or has operated a farm or ranch for less than 10-consecutive years.

• Socially Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher – is a member of a group whose members have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as members of that group without regard to their individual qualities.

• Veteran Farmer or Rancher – has served in the armed forces and has not operated a farm or ranch, has operated a farm or ranch for less than 10-consecutive years, or first obtained veteran status during the last 10 years.

• Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher – has a household income at or below the national poverty level. Eligibility can be determined by using this online tool.

Under the advance payment option, such producers may request payments when they have final designs and job sheets and are ready to begin their EQIP practices. Advance payments provide at least 50 percent of the payment rate for each practice. The funds must be spent within 90 days of receipt and practices must be completed as agreed to in an EQIP plan of operations. Producers also may opt to have NRCS pay the contractors or vendors directly via an assignment of payment.

For More Information
More information on USDA conservation programs is available online at https://www.farmers.gov/conservation or https://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov. Learn more about EQIP and other conservation programs that help with land rehabilitation in this factsheet.

USDA offers a suite of programs to help your ag operation recover from recent hurricanes. NRCS, along with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Risk Management Agency (RMA), are ready to assist impacted producers and have added flexibilities to disaster assistance programs to streamline the recovery process. Learn more on farmers.gov/hurricane.