FARMINGTON – The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service would like to remind agricultural producers that the sign-up deadline for assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program is fast approaching.

The general EQIP program offers technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers including woodland owners 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. NRCS accepts applications on a continuous basis. However, only applications which are received by July 2 will be considered for general EQIP funding in fiscal year 2013. Applications received after this date will be considered for funding in 2014.

Producers interested in the EQIP Program should visit the USDA Service Center, 107 Park St., to complete an application. For additional program information visit www.me.nrcs.usda.gov.