News

MO NRCS moves EQIP emergency deadline to August 1st

Officials with Missouri N-R-C-S have doubled the funding for emergency EQIP funding in response to the drought but are ending the cut-off for sign up 30 days early.  Lauren Cartwright, acting assistant state conservationist, tells Brownfield Ag News they have more than 1000 applicants for as much as $9-Million dollars in assistance but only have $4-million to go around. That $4-Million is double the initial announcement of $2-Million-dollars last week. The cut-off to apply is Wednesday, August 1st, at 4:30 pm Central. Cartwright says once the $4-Million is exhausted, all remaining applicants then go into a random lottery in which they can be picked for assistance.

The funding is meant to help farmers plant cover crops to be grazed or cut for hay. Cartwright says because of the limitations of the program, other agencies are stepping up to help farmers deal with the drought and that includes the Missouri Farm Service Agency office. Farmers are urged to contact their local FSA and Soil & Water Conservation district offices.

AUDIO: Interview with Lauren Cartwright ~