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Organic producer applications due

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The Wharton County Natural Resources Conservation Service office reminds certified organic producers and those transitioning to organic production that the deadline for this funding cycle ends on May 20.

Funding assistance is available this year through Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative, to help producers plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns in ways that are consiscent with organic production.

I For example, conservation practices include planting cover crops, crop rotations, prescribed grazing, forage harvest management, establishing integrated pest management plans or implementing nutrient management systems consistent with organic certification standards.

Applications for the EQIP Organic Initiative are taken continuously throughout the year, but producers need to have an application signed and returned to their local NRCS office by May 20 to be considered in this ranking period for funding.

Applications received after this date will be ranked in the next funding group, which could be later this year on in Fiscal Year 2012.

Under the Organic Initiative, producers are paid for the organic conservation measures they implement. NRCS provides financial payments and technical assistance to help producers implement conservation measures in keeping with organic production.

The program provides up to $20, 000 per year per person or legal entity, with a maximum total of $80, 000 over six years.

For more information about conservation planning and technical assistance, visit the NRCS office at 9726 U.S. 59, Wharton, call (979) 532-0077 ext. 3 or go to www.tx.nrcs. visda.gov/programs/eqip and click on Texas 2011 EQIP information.



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© 2011 East Bernard Express East Bernard, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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