NRCS Energy Programs and Standards: How to Become a Technical Service Providers Nancy Ferlow CT State Resource Conservationist.

NRCS Energy Programs NRCS Energy Programs and Standards: How to and Standards: How to

Become a Technical Become a Technical Service Providers Service Providers

Nancy FerlowNancy Ferlow

CT State Resource ConservationistCT State Resource Conservationist

Environmental Quality Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)Incentives Program (EQIP)

• The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. It supports production agriculture and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through EQIP, farmers may receive financial and technical help with structural and management conservation practices on agricultural land.

EQIP Participant EligibilityEQIP Participant Eligibility

• Must be a producer• Must have at least $1000 of farm income for the

past year• Must have farm records established with USDA• Must own or lease the property for the length of

the contract• Must be HEL/Wetlands Compliant• Must meet Adjusted Gross Income requirements

EQIP Practice EligibilityEQIP Practice Eligibility

• Energy Practices currently need to meet an Air Quality resource concern in Connecticut.

• Practice components should decrease the emissions from boilers, furnaces, or diesel engines

• Can be achieved through energy conservation measures and odor/gas reductions from manure storages

Components AvailableComponents Available

• Maple Syrup production savings (sap preheaters, pan evaporators, reverse osmosis)

• Thermal Blankets for greenhouses to save on heating and cooling costs

Components AvailableComponents Available

• Anaerobic Digester for Manure digestion

• Covers for Waste Storage Facilities

• Composting Facilities

HEL & Wetland ComplianceHEL & Wetland Compliance

• Affects all programs except AMA• When signing up make sure form AD-1026 has

been completed correctly• Before renting a field check if the field is HEL. If

it is you must be applying a Conservation Plan. • Request HEL and Wetland determinations

before clearing land for agricultural production

Adjusted Gross Income Adjusted Gross Income RequirementRequirement

• An entity and all individuals associated with that entity must not have AGI above $1 million

• Forms must be signed before application is complete.

• Adjusted Gross Income verified through IRS records.

Overview of Signup and Overview of Signup and Ranking Process for EQIPRanking Process for EQIP

• Signup is continuous

• A plan is developed prior to contract writing

• Preliminary contracts are developed and ranked on a statewide basis

• Contracts are approved after ranking

EQIP Key PointsEQIP Key Points

• Requires a preliminary assessment of environmental issues

• Requires an EQIP plan of operations (practices, practice cost schedules, and implementation date)

• Cost schedules may pay 50 to 75% of the costs of structural practices and up to 100% of certain management practices

• Limited resource farmers and beginning farmers up to 90% rates

EQIP Key Points (cont’d)EQIP Key Points (cont’d)

• Maximum contract limit to $300,000 over the life of the Farm Bill

• No annual limit on the funds

NRCS Energy ToolsNRCS Energy Tools

ConservationConservation Activity Plans (CAPs)Activity Plans (CAPs)

• CAPs are specialized, in-depth plans that address specific resources and can be used to improve management

Connecticut offers CAPs in Forestry and Energy for 2010

2008 Farm Bill granted authority through the EQIP Program

CAPSCAPS

Financial assistance payments are supported through EQIP contracts

EQIP payments are 75% of the estimated incurred costs for the development of the CAP (up to 90% for historically underserved producers)

CAPSCAPS

Each CAP will be supported by a single, stand alone program contract

CAPs are to be developed within the first 12 months after obligation

CAPSCAPS

• Only certified Technical Service Providers (TSPs) may be used to provide services for development of CAPs

• The landowner/land manager chooses a TSP from an approved list of certified, registered TSPs from the TSP Registry (http://techreg.usda.gov)

CAPSCAPS

• Many of the recommendations from the CAP plans can be part of future applications for financial assistance through NRCS Programs

Energy CAP – Agricultural Energy CAP – Agricultural Energy Management Plan Energy Management Plan

(AgEMP)(AgEMP) An analysis of current farm infrastructure

and management with recommendations about how to reduce energy consumption on the farm.

These plans can be done on farm headquarters such as dairy, greenhouse, or maple syrup operations.

Energy CAP – Agricultural Energy CAP – Agricultural Energy Management Plan Energy Management Plan

(AgEMP)(AgEMP)

• Can also be used for the field operations on the farm (landscape)

The Technical Service Provider Web SiteThe Technical Service Provider Web Site

Become a TSPBecome a TSP

Become a TSP - 2Become a TSP - 2

Become a TSP - 3Become a TSP - 3

Questions?Questions?

• For more information, contact your local District Conservationist

• Hartford/Tolland – 860-688-7725 x-118

• Litchfield/Fairfield – 860-626-8258 x-200

• Middlesex/New Haven – 203-269-7509 x 200

• New London – 860-887-3604 x-300

• Windham – 860-774-8397 x-102

Also on line at:Also on line at:

• www.ct.nrcs.usda.gov

Or

• www.nrcs.usda.gov

• The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment.

•The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.