Special sign-up opportunities are open until Oct. 3 for on-farm energy, organic and seasonal high tunnel conservation practices and landscape-based initiatives. All offer technical and financial assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
- On-farm energy: NRCS and producers develop Agricultural Energy Management Plans (AgEMP) or farm energy audits that assess energy consumption on an operation. Audit data is used to develop energy conservation recommendations. The Landscape AgEMP assesses equipment and farming processes. The farm headquarters AgEMP assesses power usage and efficiency in livestock buildings, grain handling operations and similar facilities to support the farm operation
- Organic: NRCS helps certified organic growers and producers working to achieve organic certification install conservation practices to address resource concerns on organic operations.
- Seasonal High Tunnel (Hoop House): NRCS helps producers plan and implement high tunnels, steel-framed, polyethylene-covered structures that extend growing seasons in an environmentally safe manner. High tunnel benefits include better plant and soil quality, fewer nutrients and pesticides in the environment, and better air quality due to fewer vehicles being needed to transport crops. Supporting conservation practices such as grassed waterways and diversions are available to address resource concerns on operations with seasonal high tunnel structures.
- Young Forest Initiative: This is a special effort to build young forest habitat in 21 counties in northern Wisconsin.
Interested landowners in Oconto County should contact the NRCS office at the Oconto USDA Service Center, 111 Arbutus Ave., Oconto, or 920-834-2366.
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