The Natural Resources Conservation Service recently announced Oct. 16 as the cutoff date for first-round applications for those interested in receiving incentives to install best management practices on the farm this coming year.

The Environmental Quality Incentive Program, EQIP, is our main funding program and covers a whole host of projects from development plans like forest management and nutrient management to BMP installation.

Manure storage systems, concrete feeding pads and grazing systems can be installed to better address winter manure handling and better pasture management.

Cover crops have been a popular option the last few years. However, those who have received funding in the past have addressed gully erosion too, so we are encouraging those who apply to note a farm that may need a grassed waterway installed or that may have an existing plow skip waterway that can be reshaped or lightly addressed to better their chances of funding.

Those interested in completing an application or wanting more information about the program should contact our office at 724-482-5298.

With a new contracting process that began last year, we need to have a specific plan in place prior to ranking, so we are encouraging those interested in funding to work closely with our office soon after completing an application so we can complete an accurate cost estimate and implementation timeline.

Andy Gaver is a conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Butler County.