James E. Tillman, State Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia has announced that the 2008 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) applications are due by November 1, 2007, to be considered for funding this fiscal year.

Applications can be taken at all NRCS officesand USDA Service Centers. Statewide EQIP practices include, but are not limited to, grassed waterways, waste storage facilities, terracing, pest management, ag drainage, wellhead protection and pasture management, tree planting, windbreaks, stripcropping, conservation tillage, organic crop production and wildlife habitat management. This list will vary from county-to-county based on locally identified resource concerns.

"I encourage all farmers who want to manage their resources in an economically viable and environmentally beneficialway to apply for this program," said Brent Dykes, Executive Director of the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission.

EQIP was originally established under the 1996 Farm Bill. It provides technical and financial assistance to landowners to voluntarily address soil, water, and related natural resource concerns on private lands. Conservation plans must be developed for the entire area that will be included in the EQIP contract.

NRCS provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain and improve natural resources and environment.