Rhode Island Will Receive $6.45 Million in Disaster Relief Funds From the Historic Floods of 2010 and Hurricane Irene

News Release in PDF Format (PDF, 32 KB) This documents require Acrobat Reader.

R. Phou Vongkhamdy, NRCS Rhode Island State Conservationist announced that Rhode Island will receive important disaster assistance to help communities recover and rebuild after a year in which a wave of natural disasters including the historic floods of 2010 and Hurricane Irene swept across the region.  The funding for Rhode Island totals $6.45 million through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program which provides financial and technical assistance to rebuild and repair infrastructure on land damaged from the floods and hurricane.

  EWP Program Application Information

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Announces Ranking Cut-Off Date for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service has announced that the ranking period cut-off date for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CPS) has been extended to January 27, 2012.  Rhode Island farmers interested in CPS should submit their applications to their local NRCS office by the deadline so that their applications can be considered during the first ranking period of 2012.

  CSP Program Application Information

If You Own or Manage Farmland or Forest Land in Rhode Island, We Can Help You Protect, Restore, and Enhance Your Land

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides conservation planning and financial and technical assistance to help you composting animal and plant waste, preventing soil erosion, protecting crop fields, enhancing woodlands, controlling invasive plant species, reducing irrigation water use, and improving water quality along among other resource concerns.  Funds are available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).  Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year, the first round application deadline is February 3, 2012!
 

Upcoming information workshop dates will be posted here when available!
 

  EQIP Program Application Information

Application Deadline Announced for Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) in 2012

FRPP Announcement Letter in PDF Format (PDF, 447 KB) This documents require Acrobat Reader

The Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) is a voluntary program whose purpose is to protect agricultural lands by limiting non-agricultural uses.  NRCS partners with approved State, local, Tribal, and non-profit entities by providing matching funds to purchase development rights through conservation easements on private land.  Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year with the application deadline for FY 2012 funds set for February 10, 2012.

  FRPP Program Application Information

Blackbird Farm: Setting a Higher Standard With Quality, Black Angus Beef Leads to a Thriving Business; NRCS Assistance Contributes to the Farm's Success

Blackbird Farm Article in PDF Format (PDF, 447 KB) This documents require Acrobat Reader.

Blackbird Farm selects top quality Black Angus cows known for their production quality to yield large ribeyes with excellent marbleizing attributes.  Much of the farm's success is the result of proper animal care and a quest for top Black Angus cows.  Since 2002 under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Natural Resources Conservation Service worked with Kevin and Ann Marie Bouthillette to address several natural resource concerns including water quality, animal health, pasture conditions, and erosion.

  Rhode Island Conservation Showcase

Notice to Women and/or Hispanic Farmers