NRCS
Initiatives Offer Financial Assistance for Energy Audits, High Tunnels
and Organic Operations
The
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) unveils three initiatives
aimed to help producers conserve energy, extend the growing season
and assist organic production; applications for the first ranking
period are due by Feb. 3, 2012.
“The On-Farm Energy and Seasonal High Tunnel Initiatives are
new to Oregon,” said Ron Alvarado, NRCS Oregon State Conservationist.
“This is the fourth year for the Organic Initiative, which
has been very successful here.”
All three initiatives are funded through the Environmental
Quality Incentives Program. “These initiatives
can help producers implement practices that protect or conserve
natural resources,” said Alvarado. “For example, discovering
ways to save energy on a farm is not only good for the environment,
but also good for sustaining farm operations.”
The On-Farm Energy Initiative helps producers conserve energy on
their agricultural operations. Funds may be used to develop agricultural
energy management plans based on energy audits. Funds may also be
used to implement recommended energy conservation measures.
The Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative helps producers purchase and
erect high tunnels, or hoop houses. The tunnels extend the growing
season for high value crops.
The Organic Initiative provides assistance to install conservation
practices on agricultural operations that are either certified organic
or are working towards organic certification. Funding is available
specifically to address natural resource concerns such as soil erosion,
water conservation or plant condition.
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis with three cutoff
dates to allow for ranking applications: Feb. 3, March 30 and June
1, 2012.
For additional information regarding these initiatives, visit the
Oregon NRCS website at: www.or.nrcs.usda.gov.
Interested producers can determine their eligibility and submit
an application at their nearest USDA Service Center, listed with
federal agencies in the telephone book and posted online at: www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/basindir.html.
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NRCS
Offers Financial Assistance for Energy Audits
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