EQIP money set aside for Socially Disadvantaged, Beginning, and Limited Resource Farmers/Ranchers

A new program for Socially Disadvantaged, Beginning, and Limited Resource Farmers/Ranchers was created out of the 2008 Farm Bill. Of the 13.7 million dollars Wisconsin has been awarded for EQIP programs this year, 5% ($685,000) is being set aside for Beginning and Limited Resource Farmers/Ranchers (limited resource farms are defined as farms with gross sales less than $155,200/year and adjusted gross income less than $29,555.35).
Beginning or limited resource farmers who sign up for an EQIP practice will compete only with other beginning or limited resource farmers in the state. This should give beginning/limited resource farmers easier access to EQIP funds. This applies to any EQIP practice relevant to a beginning/limited resource grower’s farm.
Also, another 5% of EQIP’s 13.7 million dollars will be set aside for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers (African Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asians or Pacific Islanders).
Any funds that are not used within these two categories will be transferred to the general EQIP funds open to all growers.
For more information about EQIP visit the NRCS EQIP website: http://www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/EQIP.html
For questions, contact your county NRCS office: http://www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/office_search.html or Regina Hirsch at UW-CIAS at 608-265-3637 (office) or 608-335-7755 (cell) or email: