NRCS Staff
Joe Weber, District Conservationist 740-797-9686 ext. 6276
Kevin Lewis, Civil Engineering Technician 740-797-9686 ext. 6278
Dean Sinclair, Soil Conservationist 740-797-9686 ext. 6279
Bill Serbonich, Conservation Specialist 740-797-9686 ext. 6292
Joe Weber, District Conservationist 740-797-9686 ext. 6276
Kevin Lewis, Civil Engineering Technician 740-797-9686 ext. 6278
Dean Sinclair, Soil Conservationist 740-797-9686 ext. 6279
Bill Serbonich, Conservation Specialist 740-797-9686 ext. 6292
Athens NRCS Office is accepting
EQIP applications for 2024 Funding
Athens county is still accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) on a continuous basis. EQIP is a voluntary conservation program which helps producers make conservation work for them. NRCS provides landowners with financial resources and one-on-one help to plan and implement conservation practices. Using these practices can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat. Financial assistance is now available for a variety of land uses, such as cropland, pastureland, forestry & wildlife. Several special project funds are also available to address water quality, forestry management, improving pollinator populations and wildlife habitat, pasture improvements and high tunnels. Signup is continuous and applications can be submitted at any time; however, applicants interested in being considered for the first round of funding in Fiscal Year 2024 should submit their applications by no later than February 16, 2024. If you are interested in learning more about the EQIP program, please call 740-797-9686 or email the District Conservationist at: [email protected]
Ohio NRCS Announces Disaster Recovery Funding to
Plant Cover Crops on Flooded Cropland Acreage
Extreme weather conditions like the recent excessive rains and tornados have negatively impacted Ohio farmers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service will invest $4 million to help Ohio agricultural producers recover. Technical and financial assistance is now available to producers who were unable to plant their crops, or who have experienced crop loss due to flooded or wet fields. This sign-up is an opportunity for farmers to plant a cover crop.
“NRCS can be a valuable partner to help Ohio landowners with their agricultural recovery effort,” said State Conservationist Terry Cosby for NRCS in Ohio. “This special sign-up encourages farmers to plant cover crops to improve water quality and soil health, prevent soil erosion, and suppress weeds on areas not planted to crops.”
NRCS will utilize the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for this special disaster recovery sign-up. EQIP is a voluntary conservation program that helps agricultural producers protect the environment while promoting agricultural production.
Cover crops provide an alternative to fields going fallow and remaining uncovered. Cover crops also improve soil vitality by adding nutrients and organic matter. Many fields that are saturated for a long period of time face a loss of soil organisms. Cover crop roots reestablish soil health and create pathways for air and water to move through the soil, which is key to restoring it.
There are significant changes with cover crops and we want producers to be successful in their 2020 planting year. Educational cover crop workshops and field days are readily available throughout Ohio to learn more. Additional information is also available on the NRCS website and farmers.gov/prevented-planting.
Landowners should coordinate with other USDA farm agencies when participating in related programs. It is a producer’s responsibility to work directly with their insurance agent and RMA to ensure they understand their policy.
To apply for this special EQIP opportunity, visit your local USDA Service Center. Applications will be accepted beginning July 1, 2019 until funding is exhausted.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
“NRCS can be a valuable partner to help Ohio landowners with their agricultural recovery effort,” said State Conservationist Terry Cosby for NRCS in Ohio. “This special sign-up encourages farmers to plant cover crops to improve water quality and soil health, prevent soil erosion, and suppress weeds on areas not planted to crops.”
NRCS will utilize the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for this special disaster recovery sign-up. EQIP is a voluntary conservation program that helps agricultural producers protect the environment while promoting agricultural production.
Cover crops provide an alternative to fields going fallow and remaining uncovered. Cover crops also improve soil vitality by adding nutrients and organic matter. Many fields that are saturated for a long period of time face a loss of soil organisms. Cover crop roots reestablish soil health and create pathways for air and water to move through the soil, which is key to restoring it.
There are significant changes with cover crops and we want producers to be successful in their 2020 planting year. Educational cover crop workshops and field days are readily available throughout Ohio to learn more. Additional information is also available on the NRCS website and farmers.gov/prevented-planting.
Landowners should coordinate with other USDA farm agencies when participating in related programs. It is a producer’s responsibility to work directly with their insurance agent and RMA to ensure they understand their policy.
To apply for this special EQIP opportunity, visit your local USDA Service Center. Applications will be accepted beginning July 1, 2019 until funding is exhausted.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.