Cullman’s USDA NRCS office is remaining open during the government shutdown to aid local farmers with EQIP applications.

The signup deadline for this batching date is January 25, 2019, for producers for 2019 funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) which includes energy retrofits, wildlife, forestry, cropland erosion, grazing land, and water quality concerns.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis; however, selecting applications for funding is completed periodically through batching periods with specific cutoff dates.

In the EQIP programs, eligible producers may receive a payment based on the statewide average cost of the installation of the conservation practice.

The first step for producers should be to contact their Cullman County NRCS office at 734-6471 ext. 3 or come to the NRCS office at 501-B 4th Street SW, Cullman for specific information on how to apply. Individuals are not eligible until they have completed the Farm Bill eligibility requirements.