Washington’s most popular agricultural conservation program, the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), now has a new application ranking cut-off date: July 15.

EQIP is a voluntary, cost-share assistance program that helps conservation practices, including those aimed at helping farmers and forest land owners improve irrigation efficiency; manage nutrient run-off and/or animal waste; improve the health of native plant communities; and reduce soil loss. In most instances, producers who participate in the program pay for roughly half of the costs of the conservation measures or practices.

Locally, farmers, ranchers forest land owners have come to rely on EQIP for assistance with conservation measures including stock watering tanks, interior fencing and covered composting bunks. State wide, in 2006 and 2007, Washington farm and forest owners qualified for more than $30 million in cost-share assistance through the program, according to the NRCS.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the San Juan Islands Conservation District Farm and Forest Planner as soon as possible to ensure eligibility and to begin the application process.

Contact your local San Juan Islands Conservation District Farm and Forest Planner, Bruce Gregory, for more information. Call 360-378-6621 or e-mail info2007@sanjuanislandscd.org or visit the website at www.sanjuanislandscd.org.