USDA Conservation Assistance Available for Great Lakes Basin

Michigan Watersheds Targeted for Phosphorus Reduction

More than $5 million is available to Michigan agricultural producers and landowners to improve and protect the waters and resources in the Great Lakes Basin, announced Garry Lee, state conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Applications to install specific conservation practices through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative are being accepted for priority ranking through June 8, 2012.

Two Michigan Watersheds Included in National Water Quality Intitiative

Two Michigan watersheds are included in the National Water Quality Initiative announced by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on May 8. The national initiative will make conservation funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture available to farmers in two Michigan watersheds, located in Clinton and Calhoun counties.

Using funds from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, NRCS will provide financial and technical assistance to producers for implementing conservation practices such as cover crops, nutrient management, filter strips and conservation tillage. NRCS has $684,000 in conservation funding available for farmers in the Pigeon Creek Watershed in Calhoun County and the Hayworth Creek Watershed in Clinton County. Applications must be submitted by June 15, 2012 in order to be considered for this funding opportunity.

Final Applications for NRCS Organic Initiative Due June 1

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Garry Lee reminds potential applicants to contact their local NRCS office soon to find out if they are eligible for the agency’s Organic Initiative. Applications for the final ranking period of 2012 are due at NRCS offices by close of business on June 1, 2012.

Nationwide, NRCS has nearly $50 million in financial and technical assistance available to certified organic producers, those who want to make the transition to organic production and producers who sell less than $5,000 in organic products annually.