Deadline for conservation financial assistance looms
NRCS sets Dec. 31 as ranking cut-off date
Washington state’s agriculture producers and landowners interested in protecting or improving natural resources on their land are being urged to contact their local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office before Dec. 31 if they want to qualify for conservation financial assistance in 2010.
“We realize the holiday season is a busy time for everyone,” said Asst. State Conservationist Dave Brown, “but for those producers who need technical or financial
assistance in the coming year, now’s the time to move conservation from their ‘wish list’
to their ‘to-do list.’”
NRCS administers a suite of conservation programs designed to address various natural resource issues on private and Tribal working land and private, non-industrial forest land. While producers can apply anytime for the programs, NRCS has set this application cut-off date to evaluate and rank applications for funding. To qualify for financial assistance in 2010, the agency has set Dec. 31 as the producer application deadline for most of its programs.
“Whether they’re interested in improving irrigation efficiency, improving wildlife habitat, protecting water quality or reducing erosion,” Brown said, “chances are, we have a program that can provide both technical and financial assistance for qualifying applicants.”
Last year in Washington, the NRCS provided more than $18 million in financial assistance to its customers for the implementation of conservation practices and activities through its Farm Bill programs. “Those practices produce numerous on- and off-site benefits including improved water, air and soil quality, as well as improved wildlife habitat and irrigation efficiency,” Brown said.
Six primary conservation programs provide the basis for NRCS’ financial assistance to producers and landowners. Those programs are the…
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
• Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)
• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
• Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)
• Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)
• Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP)
In addition to its regular conservation programs, special funding pools are available for organic producers, producers affected by wildfires and producers who will be converting expired Conservation Reserve Program land back into production.
Interested agricultural producers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center office or check the agency’s web site at www.wa.nrcs.usda.gov for more information.
“By applying before the end of 2009, producers can harvest numerous conservation benefits, as well as financial assistance, throughout 2010,” Brown said.
