North Carolina farmers and organic producers can apply for technical and financial assistance to help get an energy audit for their operation. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) is seeking applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) On-Farm Energy Initiative. Funding for the EQIP On-Farm Energy Initiative will be available soon. Now is the time for farmers to work with their local USDA Service Center to establish eligibility and apply so that their applications can be considered when funds become available.

The EQIP On-Farm Energy initiative will assist farmers in the development of Agricultural Energy Management Plans (AgEMP) for individual on-farm energy audits.  An AgEMP is an analysis of current farm infrastructure and management with recommendations to improve energy efficiency on the farm through implementing recommendations from on-farm energy audits. A plan can be developed for each farm enterprise, such as a livestock production system, a field crop system, and specialized non-livestock operations such as greenhouses and cold storage. This provides the farmer with cost effective ways to reduce operating costs while saving energy.

The advantages of energy conservation includes reducing air pollutants, reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, reducing dependence on petroleum based products, and slowing escalation of energy costs due to lower demand.

Under the EQIP On-Farm Energy Initiative applicants can apply for numerous conservation practices that benefit natural resources. Applicants who apply for the national initiative can also apply for conservation practices under the general EQIP program and other national initiatives.

Farmers should visit their local USDA Service Center today to apply for available funding for Farm Bill programs and initiatives; locations are listed on-line at http://offices.usda.gov or in the phone book under Federal Government, U.S. Department of Agriculture. General program information is available on the NRCS North Carolina website at www.nc.nrcs.usda.gov.  The USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.