During the spring of 2019, extensive amounts of rainfall created flooding in many Oklahoma river bottoms and their tributaries, causing unprecedented destruction over a large portion of northeastern and southwestern Oklahoma.

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In response, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Oklahoma is offering special Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding for “cover crop” establishment, on cropland only, to landowners impacted by this natural disaster. Cropland damage resulting from the flooding includes sand deposition and scouring. Cover crops reduce erosion, increase soil organic matter, capture and recycle nutrients in the soil profile, increase biodiversity, suppress weeds, manage soil moisture and minimize or reduce soil compaction. 

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The application deadline for the program is July 12, 2019. Producers should consider the impact this program might have on crop insurance eligibility and FSA Prevented Planting guidelines, if applicable.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the NRCS have designated eligibility for the following counties: Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Creek, Cherokee, Delaware, Haskell, Kay, Kiowa, LeFlore, Lincoln, Mayes, Muskogee, Nowata, Noble, Okmulgee, Osage, Ottawa, Payne, Pawnee, Rogers, Tulsa, Sequoyah, Wagoner, Washington and Washita.

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If in an eligible county and seeking more information about the “cover crop” program, please contact your local NRCS office for assistance. NRCS offices and staff are located and available in every county in Oklahoma.

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