MADISON - The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service announces that the Wisconsin sign-up for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) has been extended until April 17 for 2009 funding. Sign-up for the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (which provides technical assistance and cost-sharing to restore wildlife habitat) will be extended until April 17 as well.

Pat Leavenworth, State Conservationist for NRCS in Wisconsin, said that these programs were revised in the 2008 Farm Bill, and the rules and funds continue to filter in. EQIP is the primary program available to farmers for farmland conservation practices, offering flat-rate payments for over 50 conservation practices.

"EQIP was established to help all types of farmers - livestock and dairy, grazing, or cash crop, including specialty crops and organic," said Leavenworth. "EQIP also offers additional assistance for beginning, socially disadvantaged and limited resource farmers."

All eligible applications received by April 17 will be evaluated and ranked for funding. Farmers can sign up at the NRCS office in USDA Service Centers statewide. NRCS anticipates nearly $15 million in funds for Wisconsin.

For more information, visit www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov or contact the NRCS office at the USDA Service Center serving your county.