Subsidy Information for Sustainable Livestock Farmers

FACT SHEET
2014 Farm Bill Conservation Subsidies

After years of political wrangling, the 2014 Farm Bill was signed into law by President Obama on Feb. 7 on the campus of Michigan State University. The five-year, $956 billion bill includes $56 billion in funding for conservation programs, with $8.9 billion going to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).  For an overview of the 2014 Farm Bill, visit: http://tinyurl.com/FBoverview 

To read the Farm Bill in its entirety:  http://tinyurl.com/actualfarmbill

What is EQIP The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a Farm Bill Conservation Program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns. It aims to deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, ground and surface water conservation, soil erosion and sedimentation reduction and wildlife habitat. http://tinyurl.com/EQIPoverview


Categories of EQIP practices eligible for funding in Michigan include:
Animal Waste
National Water Quality Initiative
Conservation Activity Plans
Organic Initiative
Energy American Indian Tribes

Locally-Led Conservation: MAEAP Water Quality Monitoring
Wayne County Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative

For a list of specific practices and the funding available visit: http://tinyurl.com/MichiganEQIP

How to Apply for EQIP  If you’ve never applied for EQIP funds, you should know that you need to have an approved Conservation Action Plan before you’re eligible to apply for EQIP funds.  So, the first step is to apply for funds to develop the plan with an approved “technical service provider.”  The deadline for this application is usually early in the year. After you get the funds and the plan is approved, you’re free to apply for EQIP funds in the following year.  For details on the application process for EQIP, visit: http://tinyurl.com/EQIPsteps

Find your local NRCS field office:  http://tinyurl.com/NRCSofficelocator

For more info about Michigan’s EQIP program:
Steve Law, EQIP Coordinator; Phone:  (517) 324-5282; E-mail: steven.law@mi.usda.gov

Volunteers Needed for Less=More Farmers Market Blitz This Summer!

The Less=More Coalition Needs Your Help!

The Less=More Coalition is looking for volunteers to help collect petition signatures at farmers markets around the state this summer. We need help harnessing the voice of concerned consumers like you who want to help even the playing field for sustainable agriculture in Michigan by sending a message to Garry Lee, the Michigan State Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, to stop using taxpayer subsidies to support polluting factory farms.

Lee has the power to reapportion how Farm Bill subsidies are distributed, and right now, they heavily favor massive animal factories that cram thousands of animals into warehouses and pollute our water and air. (If you haven't already, click here to send him an email.)

If you have an hour or two to spare this summer, spend it at your local farmers market getting signatures for our petition! A small amount of your time can yield big benefits for sustainable farming in Michigan. For details, contact gail.philbin@sierraclub.org. Thank you!

Less=More Provides Subsidy Info for Sustainable Farmers

Less=More is a coalition of advocacy groups, farmers and consumers that supports sustainable agriculture in Michigan. It seeks to level the playing field for sustainable livestock farmers so they can compete with factory farms by tackling inequitable farm subsidies in Michigan.

 

To this end, the Less=More coalition is making information available to sustainable farmers about Farm Bill subsidies that might be applicable to their needs. Below are links to information about the 2013 EQIP subsidies in Michigan.  For questions, contact lynn.henning@sierraclub.org.

 

Michigan EQIP General Information ( May 17th deadlines for some)

http://www.mi.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip.html

Listing of all Michigan EQIP Practices Eligible for Funding in 2013

http://tinyurl.com/c9ss55o

EQIP Application Form

http://forms.sc.egov.usda.gov/efcommon/eFileServices/eForms/NRCS-CPA-1200NRCS-CPA-1200.PDF

Less support for polluting factory farms means a more sustainable Michigan. For details, visit MoreforMichigan.org.

Do you eat? Pay taxes? Watch this video!

Animal factory manure flowing into a Michigan waterway.

If you're like most people, you probably don't know much about the Farm Bill or just think it's an abstract piece of legislation that has something to with farmers but not much to do with you. In reality, it's a vital (and complex) bill that has a huge impact on our daily lives because it determines what kind of food we think is important enough to spend large amounts of taxpayer money on -- and that comes down to whether we support polluting animal factories or sustainable farmers.  

Right now, as it has for years, the bill heavily favors the kind of practices and needs of animal factories and gives short shrift to the kind of agriculture that works in harmony with nature and produces healthy, safe food for our families. 

For a quick lesson in why the Farm Bill should matter to you, check out this short video from Watershed Media, the folks who brought you the book CAFO: The Tragedy of Industrial Animal Factories. 

The Farm Bill comes up every five years, and Farm Bill 2012 is being hammered out right now, so it's a good time to let your legislators know what kind of food and farmers you want the bill to support.  To learn what you can do to make a difference, visit http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/food/fair-farm/