FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 27, 2010
For More Information Contact: Paige Buck, State Public Affairs Specialist, (217) 353.6606
                                            

Funding available helps farmers protect natural resources; extend growing season

Champaign, IL—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) now allows installation of a pilot practice called a “seasonal high tunnel” through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The 3-year pilot project will research and establish conservation benefits and issues associated with use of the practice, explains Illinois NRCS State Conservationist Bill Gradle. Interested producers must submit an EQIP application and follow specific NRCS rules and standards in order to qualify and receive technical and financial assistance.

A seasonal high tunnel is a polyethylene-covered structure, at least six feet in height, which modifies the climate inside to create more favorable growing conditions for vegetable and other specialty crops grown in the natural soil beneath it. The structure is intended to last at least four years. This pilot will test the potential conservation benefits of growing crops under these structures and determine if their use in fact helps--or complicates--the condition of soil, plant, and water resources on the farm.

Under program rules, participating farms can receive funding for one or more seasonal high tunnels. Financial assistance for high tunnels is limited to 5% of one acre, or 2,178 square feet, approximately equivalent to a 30 by 72 foot structure, for each farming operation. Participation in the seasonal high tunnel pilot is limited to operations where commodity crops were grown previously, and the same crops will be grown again in the high tunnel structure.

Informational resources with program and practice details are available at local county NRCS offices. Cooperating producers are expected to take part in developing a conservation plan for their farm. Recipients must provide annual reports each year to track the performance of the pilot practice.

Illinois NRCS State Conservation Engineer, Ruth Book, confirms that experiences and data from pilot program participants will help develop final operating rules and practice standards here in Illinois and the nation. “Illinois is one of 38 states participating in this study to verify if high tunnels can effectively reduce pesticide or fertilizer use, keep vital nutrients in the soil, extend the growing season, increase yields, and provide other benefits to growers,” said Book.

Local farmers interested in the high tunnel pilot should call or visit the NRCS office at a local USDA Service Center and submit an application. In Illinois, NRCS will provide financial assistance for the project through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). To learn more about High Tunnels or other conservation practices to protect natural resources on private lands, contact your local NRCS District Conservationist or visit the Illinois NRCS website at www.il.nrcs.usda.gov

For the EQIP Seasonal High Tunnel pilot, commercially available structures will be used. Visit with NRCS for all program details.

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