James E. Tillman Sr., state conservationist for the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia recently announced that the 2009 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) applications are due by Dec. 4 to be considered for funding this fiscal year.

Applications can be taken at all NRCS offices and USDA Service Centers. This program funds conservation practices based on locally-identified natural resources concerns, such as energy, forestry, grazing, soil erosion, water conservation and water quality. There are about 60 EQIP conservation practices including, but not limited to pasture and hayland planting, heavy use areas, waste storage facilities, terracing, pest management, tree planting, organic crop assistance and wildlife habitat management. This list will vary from county to county based on locally identified natural resource concerns.

“I encourage all farmers who want to manage their resources in an economically viable and environmentally beneficial way to apply for this program,” said Brent Dykes. Dykes is the executive director of the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission.