U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini announced that enrollment is underway for farmers and forest landowners seeking financial assistance for growing new sources of biomass for energy or biobased products within designated projects areas. The funds are available from the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.

Biomass energy facilities or groups of producers may submit proposals for new BCAP project areas.  Proposals will be accepted on www.grants.gov through Nov. 6. In June, USDA began accepting applications from foresters and farmers seeking financial assistance for removing biomass residues from fields or national forests for delivery to energy generation facilities; the deadline for those applications is Sept. 4.  The retrieval payments are provided at a cost-share match of $1 for $1 up to $20 per dry ton with eligible crops including corn residue, diseased or insect infested wood materials, or orchard waste. The energy facility must first be approved by USDA to accept the biomass crop, and deliveries to the facilities can continue until Dec. 11.

The 2014 Farm Bill authorizes funding each year for the program to assist with the establishment and delivery of biomass for energy or biobased products.  To date, BCAP has provided incentives for producers across more than 48,000 acres in 71 counties and 11 different project areas.

For more information on the program or to enroll in updates, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/bcap or contact the Vernon County FSA office, 220 Airport Road, Viroqua.