Deadline for NRCS irrigation assistance is approaching

    HOULTON — The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is reminding agricultural producers that the sign-up deadline for irrigation assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is fast approaching.
    For lands with an irrigation history, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program offers technical and financial assistance to growers for irrigation-related practices such as irrigation sprinkler systems and irrigation storage reservoirs. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis. However, only applications that are received by Sept. 1, 2010, will be considered for funding in fiscal year 2011. Applications received after this date will be considered for funding in 2012.  
    The general EQIP program offers technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers to implement conservation practices such as: grassed waterways and diversion ditches, cover crops, conservation crop rotation and tillage, and mulching. EQIP funds are available to assist producers in addressing such concerns as soil and water quality, grazing land conservation, animal waste management, forest stand improvement, and irrigation water management. Any producer engaged in livestock, crop, or forest production on eligible land may apply for EQIP.  Eligible land includes cropland, pastureland and private non-industrial forestland. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis. NRCS is currently accepting general EQIP applications for 2012 funding.
    Producers interested in the EQIP Program should visit the NRCS office at the USDA Service Center located at 304 North St. in Houlton, or call (207) 532-2087 to complete an application and begin the conservation planning process. For additional program information visit the Maine NRCS website at www.me.nrcs.usda.gov.
    NRCS, in existence since 1935, is the lead conservation agency that helps farmers conserve, maintain and improve natural resources through science-based conservation efforts, technical assistance and incentive-based programs.