Tennessee Landowners Are Eligible To Sign Up For 2007 USDA Conservation Programs in Tennessee

(Nashville, TN) Nov 28, 2006 — The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Tennessee is announcing that agricultural producers who want to receive 2007 funding in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) or the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) should do so by Friday, December 15, 2006. Sign up for both programs is year round, but applications receiving 2007 fiscal year funding must be received by December 15th.

EQIP is a voluntary conservation program for agricultural producers which promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants install or implement structural and/or management practices on eligible agricultural land. WHIP is a voluntary program which encourages creation of high quality wildlife habitats. Through WHIP cost sharing, landowners work with NRCS to develop or enhance upland, wetland, riparian, and aquatic habitat areas on their property.

"The funds from both these programs will enhance Tennessee’s natural resources, directly improving our state’s soil, water, plants, and air,” said James Ford, Tennessee NRCS State Conservationist. The funds will be used to solve locally identified resource problems in each county and also will fund special statewide concerns recommended by the Tennessee State Technical Committee such as water quantity, water and air quality, wildlife habitat, and treatment of specific invasive species. The programs offer cost share and incentive payments to producers applying approved conservation measures.

All applications will be ranked by January 31, 2007. Funding for those selected will begin February 1, 2007 or earlier. A conservation planner will develop a contract and conservation plan for each contract that is approved. Producers who have been awarded contracts can then begin implementing the approved conservation practices this year. Local NRCS field offices have complete details for their county.

Additional information and access to ranking criteria, practices, and cost share rates for EQIP and WHIP can be found at http://www.tn.nrcs.usda.gov/programs.