BY RRN Staff | December 22, 2020
Image: flySnow/iStock/Thinkstock
Congress passed a COVID-19 relief package on December 21 as part of a package to fund the federal government through September of 2021.
Inside the bill are serval provisions and items that relate to the agriculture industry.
On Tuesday, the Nebraska Farm Bureau released a “Key Provisions” document outlining some of the items that pertain to farmers and ranchers.
The following content is courtesy of the Nebraska Farm Bureau, shared to Nebraska Farm Bureau members.
General
Includes $600/person stimulus payments. Individuals making up to $75,000/year will receive a payment of $600, while couples making up to $150,000 will receive $1,200, in addition to $600/child.
NRCS accepting EQIP and NWQI applications through Jan. 15
Submitted graphic
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced that Friday, Jan. 15, 2021 is the deadline to submit applications for Ohio’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
Additionally, NRCS is offering an opportunity for agricultural producers in three watersheds in the East Fork Little Miami River Basin to apply for assistance installing conservation practices that protect water quality through the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI). The deadline for NWQI applications is also Jan. 15, 2021.
Financial assistance through EQIP is now available in a variety of agricultural categories such as cropland, pasture operations, and organic. Several special projects are also available which address water quality, forestry management, improving pollinator populations and wildlife habitat, pasture improvements and many more.
Jason Johnson
HELP IS AVAILABLE: NRCS provided more than $8 million to Iowa farmers in 2020 for conservation practices on grazing lands, like this brush management project in Warren County helping improve pasture conditions so livestock can easily access better forage quantity and quality. NRCS obligates nearly $60 million to Iowa farmers in conservation assistance.
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service contracted with Iowa farmers and landowners to treat natural resources on more than 316,000 acres, obligating $59.8 million in financial assistance during fiscal year 2020 that ended Sept. 30.
NRCS also wrote 12,624 conservation plans that cover 889,071 acres during FY 2020. The conservation plans will help Iowa farmers reduce soil erosion, improve soil health and water quality, increase wildlife habitat, and treat other environmental issues.
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MacXever/iStock/Thinkstock New nominees for EPA, Department of Interior and climate advisers could bring new direction in addressing the changing climate.
President-elect Joe Biden has made it clear from day one he intends to lead with action on the climate. And now he’s filling his climate team with some familiar faces and some new ones that could bring a change to agriculture.
“We have a good idea of the vision President-elect Biden is trying to accomplish. And as it relates to agriculture it is positive,” says Ethan Lane, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s vice president of government affairs. The concern comes in when the progressive left of the party tries to take actions further.