FARMINGTON – Agricultural and forest producers have an opportunity to submit applications for funding through conservation initiatives, announced Paul Hersey, District Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Farmington.

Funded through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, applications are being accepted until Dec. 21 for the On-Farm Energy, Organic, Seasonal High Tunnel and New England/New York Forestry initiatives for Fiscal Year 2013. NRCS accepts applications for financial assistance on a continuous basis throughout the year; however, applications received for these initiatives by the Dec. 21 deadline will be considered for funding in Fiscal Year 2013.

On-Farm Energy Initiative: NRCS and producers develop Agricultural Energy Management Plans or farm energy audits that assess energy consumption on an operation. NRCS then uses audit data to develop energy conservation recommendations. Each AgEMP has a landscape component that assesses equipment and farming processes and a farm headquarters component that assesses power usage and efficiencies in livestock buildings, grain handling operations and similar facilities to support the farm operation.

Organic Initiative: NRCS helps certified organic producers and producers working to achieve organic certification install conservation practices for organic production. Funding is available to help producers plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns in ways that are consistent with organic production. For example, conservation practices might include planting cover crops, establishing integrated pest management plans, constructing seasonal high tunnels or implementing nutrient management systems consistent with organic certification standards.

Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative: NRCS helps producers plan and implement high tunnels — steel-framed, polyethylene-covered structures that extend growing seasons in an environmentally safe manner. High tunnel benefits include better plant and soil quality, fewer nutrients and pesticides in the environment.

New England/New York Forestry Initiative: Funding is available to assist Franklin County landowners with forest land planning and management of their private forests to improve wildlife habitat, forest health and productivity, and water quality. Besides providing economic benefits, forests are home to diverse communities of fish and wildlife. Eligible conservation practices through this initiative include, but are not limited to, forest stand improvement, early successional habitat development and management, tree/shrub site preparation and establishment, upland wildlife habitat management, brush management, stream crossings, riparian forest buffers, fish passage, forest trails and landings, conservation cover, access roads, wetland restoration and wetland wildlife habitat management.

For more information go to www.me.nrcs.usda.gov, stop by the Franklin County USDA Service Center at 107 Park St., or call either Paul Hersey at 778-4767, ext. 105, or Jade Gianforte at ext. 108.