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Sign up for federal conservation programsFunding for Mass. increases by 65 percent(AMHERST, MA) February 2, 2004 —Massachusetts farmers and other landowners are encouraged to apply for nearly $12.5 million in federal funding for conservation programs allocated by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for Massachusetts this fiscal year, a 65 percent increase over last year. The programs are administered by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. “These funds will help Massachusetts landowners work in partnership with local NRCS field staff in maintaining high environmental stewardship in communities across the commonwealth,” said State Conservationist Cecil B. Currin. “USDA remains committed to providing the conservation tools and resources to ensure that the land in the Bay State remains both healthy and productive.” With financial and technical assistance from NRCS, farmers and other landowners will continue to address resource concerns on farmland, promote environmental quality, address challenges in water quality and quantity, protect prime farmland, and protect valuable wetland ecosystems and wildlife habitat on private lands. Nationally, the FY 2004 allocations to states include $1.2 billion in financial assistance and $305 million for technical assistance for NRCS Farm Bill programs and other activities. “Now that these funds have been allocated, our field offices can begin writing contracts with local farmers,” said Currin. “These contracts will help ease the existing backlog in these popular programs improving soil, water, air and at-risk habitat on working lands.” Landowners are encouraged to sign up for these conservation programs by March 1. General information is available on the NRCS Massachusetts website at www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov. For more specific information, contact a local USDA Service Center (http://offices.usda.gov or in the phone book under Federal Government, U.S. Department of Agriculture). Massachusetts Funding - FY2004 - FY2003 comparison:Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) - farmers may receive financial and technical help with structural and management conservation practices on agricultural land. FY2004 $6,453,000 | FY2003 $3,295,418 Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) - provides funds to purchase the development rights to farmland, preserving productive farmland for agricultural use. FY2004 $3,926,200 | FY2003 $2,932,471 Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) - helps landowners restore and protect grassland, rangeland, pastureland, shrubland and certain other lands, and provides assistance for rehabilitating grasslands. FY2004 $705,000 | FY2003 $190,500 Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) - offers an opportunity for landowners to voluntarily protect, restore and enhance wetlands on their property. FY2004 $535,000 | FY2003 $890,000 Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) - a voluntary program that provides technical and financial assistance to landowners who want to improve fish and wildlife habitat or restore natural ecosystems on their land. FY2004 $875,000 | FY2003 $907,955 TOTAL - FY2004 $12,494,200 | FY2003 $8,216,344
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