The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in New Jersey is now accepting applications for High Tunnels through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA).
High Tunnels are designed to help producers extend the growing season, increase productivity, keep plants at a steady temperature, and conserve water and energy. The EQIP high tunnel signup will be administered through the ACT NOW approach, which is a targeted, rapid, and streamlined application and contract approval process.
While NRCS accepts applications year-round, NRCS-NJ has established an evaluation period cut-off date for ACT NOW funding of January 26, 2024. Applications through ACT NOW funding will be selected if the minimum threshold ranking score is met. Applications submitted prior to the cut-off will be assessed and ranked as soon as they are received.
Based on fund availability, application assessments with a ranking score of the established threshold or greater will be preapproved immediately, allowing the applicant to ACT NOW and achieve contract approval to begin practice installation without being evaluated against other submitted assessments. Application assessment ranking scores less than the established threshold will be batched and funded in ranking order as funding allows.
For more details on EQIP, please contact your local USDA Service Center or visit https://www.nj.nrcs.usda.gov.