For South Dakota's agricultural producers and landowners, fiscal year (FY) 2024 brings exciting news in the form of enhanced conservation funding opportunities. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) serving South Dakota has secured significant increases in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) funding, all thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This year, these IRA funds will do more than merely boost the available financial assistance; they will more than double it.
While the NRCS accepts applications year-round, there's a critical date to mark on your calendars. By November 3, 2023, both operators and landowners must sign their applications at their local NRCS office to be considered for FY 2024 funding. Any applications submitted after this date will be carried over to the next application period.
In addition, a valuable NRCS webinar has been scheduled for today, Wednesday, October 25, at 12:00 p.m. MT/1:00 p.m. CT. This webinar is dedicated to covering the expanded list of Climate-Smart Activities (see document below) that are now available through IRA funding. It will also explain how these funds tie into the Farm Bill, and how the NRCS is working to streamline and enhance its programs for the upcoming fiscal year.
To learn more, RSVP for the webinar, and discover how these increased funding opportunities can benefit you: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAFARMERS/bulletins/37738d6