Klamath Falls Herald and News

September 30, 2010

   The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in California and Oregon has set the application deadline for fiscal year 2011 Farm Bill conservation program funding as Nov. 12, according to a news release.

   The deadline includes all California Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Wild life Habitat Incentives Program initiatives, except the EQIP Organic Initiative. The EQIP Organic Initiative sign up deadline will be announced.

   David Ferguson, who works from the agency’s Tulelake office, said EQIP program initiatives that are eligible for this signup include: water quality   – animal feeding operations; water conservation/ drought response; wildlife habitat improvements, California air quality; grazing lands management; and forest lands management.

   In California, the NRCS has obligated more than $74 million in EQIP funds for more than 5,600 contracts and 821,000 acres statewide.

   The number of applications received this year far exceeds the amount of funding available.

   Ferguson said the agency is anticipating similar funding for 2011. Farmers and ranchers are encouraged to start their application process as soon as possible to ensure consideration for this funding cycle.

   NRCS invites landowners to apply before the November deadline by visiting a NRCS office in Klamath Falls and Tulelake.

   Driving directions and contact information for the service centers are available on the web at www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/

   NRCS is celebrating its 75th year of “Helping People Help the Land.”

   Since its inception in 1935, NRCS has worked in partnership with private landowners and a variety of local, state and federal conservation partners to deliver conservation based on specific, local needs.