02/20/06 EQIP incentives for Idaho producers

Idaho ag producers who will receive 2006 Environmental Quality Incentives Program contracts this year will have a chance to receive extra money. Rich Sims is the NRCS State Conservationist who says money is there for those who get rolling now. SIMS "Implement or install their conservation practices, their structural practices, within the first year of that contract and if they decide to do that Chief Knight has decided to offer them a bonus to put that conservation on the ground." EQIP applicants should check with any of the 38 local USDA service center to determine their contract amounts and the possibility of the bonus. On a $100,000 contract that could mean an extra four thousand for completing conservation structural practices by December 31, 2007. On another note, Sims says they'll try to encourage some producers to get one or more of 15 different practices completed in the next couple of months. SIMS "We're willing to increase their cost share dollars on the amount that they receive by 15 percent and that will help cover some of those increased costs due to energy activities that are going on through out the nation." Letters to those producers should be going out within the next couple of weeks. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott