BISMARCK, N.D. A federal conservation program is handing out more assistance to farmers and ranchers across the Northern Plains and Montana this year.
The government received nearly 8,000 applications from the Dakotas, Minnesota and Montana for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program.
The program, offered through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, helps farmers finance changes that can lessen erosion or allow their farm to pollute less.
Officials attribute the popularity of EQIP to a streamlined application process and higher payments. Under the new farm bill, the cost-share or incentive was raised from $50,00 to $450,000. The application deadline for EQIP is Sept. 30.
In North Dakota, 900 applicants have been awarded a total of $15.2 million this year, said Jennifer Heglund, North Dakota's assistant state conservationist for NRCS programs. Last year, about 1,000 applicants received a total of $13.1 million.
Minnesota was allocated $23 million this year, $15 million more than 2002 and $19 million more than 2001, NRCS resource conservationist Sid Cornelius said.Associated Press:
