The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering additional funding through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to target specific resource concerns in Montana in 2018: on-farm energy, honey bee pollinators, organic, high tunnel systems, Sage Grouse Initiative invasive conifer removal, Sage Grouse Initiative cropland seeding, and wildfire recovery.

While NRCS accepts EQIP applications on a continuous basis, NRCS has set a deadline of Jan. 19, 2018, to apply for 2018 initiatives funding. Below is an overview of each initiative:

Wildfire Recovery: NRCS is offering assistance to farmers and ranchers affected by wildfires in 2017 with livestock grazing deferment, damaged fence and post removal, livestock fencing, water facility development, critical area plantings, and cover crops.