The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced that $25 million is available to help agricultural producers apply needed conservation practices on land throughout Minnesota. William Hunt, state conservationist for NRCS in Minnesota, announced the signup dates for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) which will be held at all USDA Service Centers in Minnesota.

The EQIP signup period in Minnesota will begin on Dec. 15, 2005. Applications will be scored and ranked on a locally prioritized statewide environmental ranking worksheet. Signup for EQIP ends Jan. 31, 2006.

EQIP is a popular program with Minnesota farmers, assisting them to solve environmental concerns. In 2005, 38 contracts were approved for $413,000 in Chisago County to assist landowners apply conservation practices. Producers will receive up to 50 percent cost-share while certified limited resource farmers may receive up to 90 percent to implement conservation practices.

To apply for funding, landowners should contact the NRCS office at the USDA Service Center located at 38814 Third Avenue in North Branch.

ìOur focus with EQIP is to help producers with conservation on working agricultural land,î said Hunt. ìImplementing conservation practices on privately owned working land, which is 70 percent of the land base in this country, is the most effective thing we can do to protect our water quality and the health of our soil.î EQIP also supports abundant wildlife habitat and productive grasslands and woodlands.

For more information on conservation practices and/or the statewide and county EQIP signup, contact the NRCS at your local USDA Service Center at (651) 674-7106, ext. 3, or visit the Minnesota NRCS Web site at: www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov.

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