OXFORD – Gary Raymond, executive director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Oxford County, announced that the agency is soliciting public input about the Emergency Conservation Program and ideas to improve it. Individuals have until close of business on Dec. 24 to submit comments.

The program provides emergency funding and technical assistance for farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures during severe drought. Funding is appropriated by Congress.

Raymond said the program offers qualified applicants assistance of up to 75 percent of the cost to implement approved emergency conservation practices.

The program and related details may be obtained by contacting Matthew Ponish, national environmental compliance manager, USDA, Farm Service Agency, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-0512; or, via e-mail at [email protected].

edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/e7-20961.pdf