The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service PA is accepting applications to help producers improve water and air quality, build healthier soil, and achieve other environmental benefits from Pennsylvania farmers and landowners in Centre, Clinton and Lycoming Counties.

Under a special initiative through USDA's Regional Conservation Partnerships Program (RCPP), NRCS is partnering with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA to assist farmers in establishing conservation practices to improve soil health, reduce erosion and nutrient loss, and control stormwater runoff to local streams that drain into the Chesapeake Bay.

Agricultural producers wanting to enhance current conservation efforts are encouraged to apply for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Through CSP, NRCS helps private landowners build their business while implementing conservation practices that help ensure the sustainability of their entire operation.

Examples of management practices include continuous no-till planting, diverse crop rotations, integrating grazing with crops, planting multi-species cover crops, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

These will help to promote soil organisms and biodiversity. Many of these practices improve plant productivity by improving access to soil nutrients, reducing demands for supplemental fertilizer, increasing soil water holding capacity, and protecting from drought and high-volume rain events.

While applications for CSP are accepted year-round, applications for the RCPP CSP must be received by June 28 to be considered for this funding period and will be accepted until funds are depleted.

Producers interested in applying should contact--

-- Centre and Clinton Counties: Mill Hall NRCS Field Office, 216 Spring Run Road, Room 102, Mill Hall, PA 17751-9587, 570-726-3196, ext. 3

-- Lycoming County: Montoursville NRCS Field Office, 542 County Farm Road, Suite 204, Montoursville, PA 17754-9209, 570-433-3902, ext. 3

For more information on NRCS landowner services, visit the PA NRCS webpage.

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[Posted: June 18, 209]

6/23/2019