State Conservationist, Terrance O. Rudolph, of U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today announced an urban agriculture focused sign up through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). This targeted sign up is for metro-Atlanta farmers in Fulton, Gwinnett, and Henry counties, who are interested in producing local, healthy, sustainable food for their communities.

EQIP is a voluntary conservation program which helps producers make conservation work for them. NRCS provides agricultural producers with financial resources and one-on-one help to plan and implement improvements, or what NRCS calls conservation practices.

“Urban farmers in Atlanta and many nearby communities are doing some great work connecting consumers to the land that provides their food,” said Rudolph. “Urban conservation provides local economic and environmental benefits, while providing fresh food options to communities that need them most.”

NRCS takes applications on a continuous basis, however, interested parties are encouraged to contact their local NRCS service center and apply by March 4, 2022, to be included in this application batching period.

While this sign up is limited in scope, NRCS is looking to expand urban agriculture conservation to other areas of Georgia in the future. To begin those discussions or to sign up for a conservation program, contact your local NRCS conservationist. Be sure to check the status of your USDA Service Center when you reach out to us. For offices with restrictions on in-person appointments, we are still available by phone, email, and through other digital tools.

To learn more about EQIP or other technical and financial assistance available through NRCS conservation programs, visit Get Started with NRCS or contact your local USDA Service Center.