MONROE - The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced that landowners interested in conservation practices must apply by Friday, Feb. 3 to be considered for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
Jason Thomas, District Conservationist, Monroe, said that EQIP is the primary program available to farmers for farmland conservation work, offering flat-rate payments for more than 80 conservation practices.
"EQIP can help all types of farmers - livestock and dairy, grazing, or cash crop, including specialty crops, organic, and agro-forestry," Thomas said. "EQIP also offers additional assistance for beginning, socially disadvantaged and limited resource farmers."
Several new practices are available in EQIP this year, as well as the same practices offered annually. Green County's top practices are grassed waterways, critical area shaping and seeding, diversions, and barn yard runoff control systems.
"Livestock farmers should remember that simple water control such as roof gutters and diversions are cost-effective ways to reduce polluted runoff and improve animal health in livestock feeding areas," Thomas said.
All eligible applications received by Feb. 3 will be evaluated and ranked for funding. Farmers can sign up at the NRCS office in USDA Service Centers statewide. Last year, Green County received 66 applications for EQIP.
More information is available at www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov or by contacting the Monroe NRCS office at (608) 325-4195 extension 3.
Jason Thomas, District Conservationist, Monroe, said that EQIP is the primary program available to farmers for farmland conservation work, offering flat-rate payments for more than 80 conservation practices.
"EQIP can help all types of farmers - livestock and dairy, grazing, or cash crop, including specialty crops, organic, and agro-forestry," Thomas said. "EQIP also offers additional assistance for beginning, socially disadvantaged and limited resource farmers."
Several new practices are available in EQIP this year, as well as the same practices offered annually. Green County's top practices are grassed waterways, critical area shaping and seeding, diversions, and barn yard runoff control systems.
"Livestock farmers should remember that simple water control such as roof gutters and diversions are cost-effective ways to reduce polluted runoff and improve animal health in livestock feeding areas," Thomas said.
All eligible applications received by Feb. 3 will be evaluated and ranked for funding. Farmers can sign up at the NRCS office in USDA Service Centers statewide. Last year, Green County received 66 applications for EQIP.
More information is available at www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov or by contacting the Monroe NRCS office at (608) 325-4195 extension 3.
