Ag funds available for conservation moves

WASHINGTON, July 15 (UPI) -- More than $200 million for two voluntary conservation programs will be available to farmers and ranchers, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer said.

The 2008 Farm Bill will provide $200 million to help farmers and ranchers address natural resource problems through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Agriculture Department said in a news release. An additional $2.5 million will be available for Agricultural Management Assistance in 16 states.

"These additional funds will assist farmers and ranchers in solving critical natural resource problems," Schafer said. "Voluntary incentive-based programs like EQIP and AMA are the key to helping producers meet their conservation goals and provide the public with important benefits such as cleaner water, improved air quality, healthy soils, and abundant wildlife."

The department's Natural Resources Conservation Service administers EQIP and AMA, which provide financial and technical assistance to producers. The EQIP can provide up to 75 percent to defray costs to help producers install or implement structural and management practices on private farms and ranches, the department said.

AMA provides cost-sharing up to 75 percent plus incentive payments to address risk management controls farmers and ranchers link to water management and quality, and erosion control.