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| Vermont 2011 CCPI InformationThe Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) is a voluntary conservation initiative that enables the use of certain conservation programs with resources of eligible partners to provide financial and technical assistance to owners and operators of agricultural and nonindustrial forestlands. Eligible producers, who participate in a project area identified in an approved partner agreement, may apply for program assistance. For 2011, CCPI is being offered through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) here in Vermont. Under CCPI, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) enters into partnership agreements with eligible entities that want to enhance conservation outcomes on agricultural and nonindustrial private forestlands. The Secretary of Agriculture has delegated the authority for CCPI to the NRCS Chief. CCPI obtains its legal authority from Section 2707 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 which establishes the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) by amending Section 1243 of the Food Security Act of 1985 [16 U.S.C. 3843]. General Program DescriptionDuring fiscal year 2011, NRCS will make Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) funds and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) benefits to owners and operators of agricultural and nonindustrial private forestlands who participate in approved CCPI projects. As authorized by Congress, this is not a grant program to eligible partners. This is a program whereby approved eligible partners will enter into multi-year agreements with NRCS to help enhance conservation outcomes on agricultural lands and nonindustrial private forestlands. The intent of CCPI is for the Federal government to leverage investment in natural resources conservation along with services and resources of non-Federal partners. Eligible PartnersFederally recognized Indian Tribes, State and local units of government, producer associations, farmer cooperatives, institutions of higher education, and nongovernmental organization with a history of working cooperatively with producers. Individual producers are not eligible to submit a partner proposal. ProducersOwners and operators of agricultural and nonindustrial private forestlands are eligible to apply for program benefits offered through CCPI. In order for a producer to be considered for financial assistance through a CCPI partner agreement, the land associated with a program application must be located within an approved CCPI project area. Only producers who are eligible for EQIP, WHIP or CSP may receive financial assistance through these programs. When announced and available refer to Fact Sheets and scroll down to see the approved agreements and information on how and when to apply to the EQIP, WHIP, and CSP programs. For more detail regarding eligibility and application requirements contact your NRCS field office. FundingFor CCPI, the 2008 Farm Bill requires that 6 percent of the funds for EQIP and WHIP and 6 percent of the allowed acres for the CSP programs be reserved for support of producer approved under this authority. Of these funds reserved for CCPI. 90 percent are to be used for projects within States and territories of the U.S., as approved NRCS State Conservationists. The remaining 10 percent of these resources are to be awarded to "multi-State" project proposals based upon a competitive national process. Vermont Specific CCPI InformationOne CCPI partnership agreement that was approved for funding in Vermont for 2009 through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) will be accepting new applications for 2011 Funding. Owners and operators of agricultural land who wish to apply for program benefits will need to meet the eligibility requirements of the program in order to be eligible for funding. The approved partnership agreement for 2011 Vermont CCPI is Manure Injection and Conservation Tillage Funding for Manure Injection and Conservation TillageSign up is available to agricultural producers in Franklin, Addison and Rutland counties until April 29, 2011. Those wishing to apply for the program can do so through their local NRCS field office. Funding is provided through a partnership agreement with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Center for Clean and Clear and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture. Under this agreement, eligible farmers may apply and if accepted for funding, enter into a long term contract with NRCS to implement manure injection and conservation tillage management techniques. Per acre payments will be made to producers through the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Payment rates vary depending on the exact practice to be implemented. To apply, please visit your local USDA Service Center in Franklin, Addison and Rutland Counties until April 29. The following documents require Acrobat
Reader. 2011 CCPI Sign Up and Conservation Planning DocumentsThe following documents require Acrobat Reader.
Residue Management Applicant Self-Certification Form
Waste Utilization Customer Certification Form Links to Other Useful Information
Electronic application filing is available through the Electronic Government website. For additional local information or to apply, contact your Local NRCS Office. VT NRCS Office Locations and Contact Information CCPI Information from the National NRCS Website ContactKatura Wright |
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