EAST LANSING - A U.S. Department of Agricuture program can help farmers pay for conservation practices that prevent erosion, improve water quality, and provide habitat for wildlife.
The Environmental Quality Initiatives Program, administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, can pay up to 75 percent of the cost of certain conservation practices on agricultural land. Funding is still available in 2006 for farmers who apply for the program before March 15.
The first step in receiving assistance is to contact the local NRCS field office to determine whether any programs can be used to protect natural resources on your land. For more information, call your local NRCS office or go to www.mi.usda.gov/programs/equip.html.
