| FEBRUARY 9, 2010 -- The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Connecticut is continuing to accept applications for three of the agency's conservation programs -- the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP).
"A second cutoff date recently passed for ranking purposes," said state conservationist Douglas L. Zehner. "However; we would like to remind residents that we accept applications on a continuous basis."
AMA provides cost share assistance to agricultural producers to voluntarily address issues such as water management, water quality, and erosion control by incorporating conservation into their farming operations. Producers may construct or improve water management structures or irrigation structures; plant trees for windbreaks or to improve water quality; and mitigate risk through production diversification or resource conservation practices, including soil erosion control, integrated pest management, or transition to organic farming.
EQIP provides cost share and incentive payments to implement conservation practices on eligible agricultural land. It is a voluntary program that promotes environmental quality and agricultural production as compatible goals.
WHIP is a voluntary program for people who want to develop and improve wildlife habitat primarily on private land. Through this program, NRCS provides both technical and financial assistance on grassland, riparian areas, state identified imperiled habitats, old fields, streams and rivers, early successional wetlands (tidal and nontidal), and shallow and deep water habitats.
For more information, visit the web at www.ct.nrcs.usda.gov/programs or contact your nearest USDA Service Center: Brooklyn Service Center (860) 774-0224; Norwich Service Center (860) 887-3604; Torrington Service Center (860) 626-8258; Wallingford Service Center (203) 269-7509; Windsor Service Center (860) 688-7725.
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