State Rep. Mike Sanders was notified last week that 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” for landowners impacted by recent flooding.

Extensive rainfall in many Oklahoma river bottoms and their tributaries has caused unprecedented destruction in many areas of Oklahoma.

Some of the key impacts to cropland resulting from the flooding include sand deposition and scouring.

Cover Crop’s purpose is to 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.

The application deadline is July 12, 2019 for those affected in Blaine and Canadian counties.

“I wanted those affected by recent storms to know some of the relief and aid at their disposal,” said Sanders, R-Kingfisher. “Our local emergency officials are of course assisting, but these federal resources may be of some help as well.”

The purpose of this initiative is to offer EQIP funding on Cropland only for “Cover Crop” establishment to landowners who have been and continue to be impacted by this natural disaster. Producers should consider the impact this might have on crop insurance eligibility.

Farm Service Agency Prevented Planting guidelines must also be considered if applicable.

If you are in an eligible county and seeking more information about this “Cover Crop” program, please contact your local NRCS office for assistance.

NRCS offices and staff are located and available in every county in Oklahoma.

Those in Kingfisher County should contact the Kingfisher Field Service Center, 1600 S. 13th St., Kingfisher, OK 73750; Telephone: 405-375-3200; FAX: 405-375-3201.

Those in Blaine County should contact the Watonga Field Service Center, 221 E. Main, Watonga, OK 73772-3832; Telephone: 580-623-8501; FAX: 580-623-8503.

Those in Canadian County should contact the El Reno Field Service Center, 1625 E. Hwy. 66, El Reno, OK 73036-5769; Telephone: 405-262-1958; FAX: 405-422-2066.

In addition to this latest news, Kingfisher County also was recently added to the list of counties approved for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Canadian County was already on the list.