Programs and Practices for Clean Air and Energy

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is working to help farmers with conservation practices that improve air quality. Under the 2008 Food, Conservation and Energy Act (2008 Farm Bill), NRCS will provide eligible producers with program support through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to implement cost effective and innovative practices that improve air quality.

Funds are being made available in areas whose air quality does not meet the health-based standards established for ground-level ozone pollution. In Massachusetts, this includes all counties (see National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ground-level ozone and EPA Air Data Maps at http://www.epa.gov/air/data/nonat.html?st~MA~Massachusetts).

EQIP Air Quality financial assistance is being offered for the following practices:

Anaerobic Digester – Controlled Temperature (366) and associated practices, including:

• Waste Storage Facility
• Composting Facility
• Waste Transfer
• Vegetated Treatment Area
• Critical Area Planting

Atmospheric Resource Quality Management (370)

• Greenhouse Energy/Shade Screens
• Greenhouse Horizontal Air Flow (HAF) Systems

• Cranberry Auto-Start Systems

• Solar PV, Solar-Thermal and Wind Turbines (600 KW or less)
• GenSet for Methane Digester
• Energy audit and renewable energy assessment required

EQIP Air Quality Initiative Documents

The following documents require Acrobat Reader

Programs and Practices for Air Quality and Energy in Massachusetts fact sheet

Program Application
2009 Air Quality Application Evaluation & Ranking Tool
2009 Air Quality Practice Payment Schedule

Air Quality Practice Standards
- Anaerobic Digester (366)
- Atmospheric Resource Quality Management (370)

Specifications
- Greenhouse Shades
- Greenhouse HAF System

How to apply

Participation in the EQIP Air Quality Initiative is voluntary. Applications are received on a continuous basis. Contact your local USDA Service Center to speak with one of our conservation professionals to begin the planning and program application process. Applications received by May 1, 2009 will be evaluated in the first funding round. In addition to the application, applicants will need to file several forms to certify eligibility requirements for federal program participation, including:

The following documents require Acrobat Reader

CCC-1200: Conservation Program Application
AD-1026: Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation Certification
CCC-926: Adjusted Gross Income Certification
CCC-901: Entity and Joint Operation Membership (if applicable)

Developing a conservation plan is the first step in working with NRCS and applying for most USDA conservation programs. A conservation plan provides a roadmap to sustaining or improving production while managing the natural resource base that supports your farm. Conservation planning identifies objectives, resource limitations and opportunities, and evaluates alternatives to help you make decisions in managing your operation. Contact your local NRCS Field Office for more information and assistance.

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