VASCM: NRCS' EQIP Program Has $$ Available for Vineyard Improvements - Start Your Application Now for Nov. Deadline

[Mary Lindsay, Muns Vineyard]

Rich Casale of the NRCS has provided some information about this year's 
EQIP funding, under which $$ are available for vineyard owners to make 
conservation improvements (including irrigation, cover crops, pest and 
nutrient management, invasive plant removal, etc. - see more below). 
Although *the deadline for applications is November 13*, you need to do 
some things before then, so it's not too early to get started:

1.  Fill out and sign a standard Request for Assistance form, and submit 
it to the county-appropriate NRCS representative (see the contacts 
below). This will initiate a site visit and resource assessment. The 
sooner the better.

*You can find this form and more information about EQIP on the VASCM 
website* at http://www.vascm.org/. Scroll down the home page and you 
will find it under 'Latest News'.

According to Rich:  The first step is to make a property visit and 
discuss objectives, resource needs and conservation alternatives. 
Following this initial visit we will be able to determine if EQIP 
assistance is appropriate. The sooner you request a NRCS site visit and 
we get started on a conservation plan the better. By the Nov. 13 
deadline we will need to complete the resource assessment, identify 
eligible conservation practices and their extent, and dollars needed. 
The Request for Assistance form needs to be completed, signed and 
returned to my office before we make appointments for site visits.

2.  If the NRCS determines that EQIP assistance will serve a 
conservation/environmental need on the property then you will be 
instructed to contact Vivian Soffa at the USDA Farm Services Agency in 
Salinas (831-424-1036 ext 108) to start the eligibility determination 
process. This will require at least one physical visit to the Salinas 
USDA Service Center.


*About EQIP:*


Authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill, the Environmental Quality Incentives 
Program (EQIP) is a voluntary program designed to promote agricultural 
production, forest management, and environmental quality as compatible 
goals. Through EQIP, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) 
provides financial and technical assistance to eligible farmers and 
ranchers to address soil, water, and air quality, wildlife habitat, 
surface and groundwater conservation, energy conservation, and related 
natural resource concerns.


A number of our local vineyards have in the past couple of years 
benefited from this program. Some examples of EQIP projects/practices on 
local vineyards include: irrigation pipelines, spring development, water 
harvesting catchments, irrigation regulating reservoir (tanked), cover 
crops, road seeding, hedgerows, gully control, underground drainage 
systems, pest mgt, nutrient mgt, irrigation water mgt. upland wildlife 
habitat mgt, grass waterway, structures for water control, access road, 
row arrangement, drip irrigation, lined waterway or outlet, obstruction 
removal, streambank protection, subsurface drainage, and invasive plant 
removal.

 

There is EQIP funding in every CA county. Here are the *NRCS contacts by 
County:*

- In Santa Cruz County contact Rich Casale, 831-475-1967, 
Richard.Casale at ca.usda.gov
- In Santa Clara County contact Bob Rohde or Athena Pratt at 831-637-4360.
- In San Mateo County contact Jim Howard at (650)726-4660.
- In Monterey County contact Robert LaFleur at 831-424-1036 ext 101.

 

If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to contact Rich 
Casale. Thanks for helping us promote the EQIP program within the VASCM.

 

Rich Casale

NRCS

831-475-1967
Richard.Casale at ca.usda.gov