Farmers and landowners interested in receiving financial assistance through USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's conservation programs should apply by Oct. 31 to be considered in the first round of ranking for fiscal year 2008 funding.

There will also be two additional cutoff dates of Nov. 30 and Feb. 1 if any funds are not allocated after the Oct. 31 ranking period.

Applications are currently being accepted for the Agricultural Management Assistance Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program and Wetlands Reserve Program.

These conservation programs help people reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat and restore and enhance wetlands. The programs are voluntary and provide incentives such as technical and cost-sharing assistance for the planning, design and implementation of conservation systems. Examples of practices that can be funded through these programs include nutrient management, cover crops, no-till, manure storage, meadow seedings and stream fencing.

For all programs, the applicant must have control of the land for the life of the proposed contract. For AMA and EQIP, eligibility is limited to farmers and producers engaged in agricultural production on eligible agricultural land. All applications will be evaluated and ranked according to environmental benefits and cost effectiveness. In most projects, NRCS does not cover all the cost of installation practices. Participants must pay a portion.

Landowners and producers interested in learning more about these conservation programs should contact the Natural Resources Conservation Service office at 625 Evans City Road, or call 724-482-4800, Ext. 3.

Ron Fodor is the district manager of the Butler County Conservation District.