THE CUTOFF DATE FOR MAKING APPLICATION FOR SEVERAL USDA CONSERVATION PROGRAMS IS QUICKLY APPROACHING. ASSISTANT STATE CONSERVATIONIST FOR PROGRAMS MIKE KUCK WITH THE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE SAYS THE CUTOFF DATE, KNOWN AS THE CALL FOR RANKING, IS NEXT WEEK FOR THE WETLANDS RESERVE PROGRAM. “WHICH IS …. Q: 2007 :17. ALTHOUGH MOST ON-GOING USDA CONSERVATION PROGRAMS ACCEPT APPLICATIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE CALL FOR RANKING IS THE CUTOFF DATE FOR NEXT YEAR’S FUNDING. A SECOND CALL FOR RANKING DATE IS SEPTEMBER 28TH FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM, ALSO KNOWN AS EQIP….THE EQIP GROUND AND SURFACE WATER PROGRAM….AND THE WILDLIFE HABITAT INCENTIVES PROGRAM CALLED WHIP. THESE COST-SHARE PROGRAMS OFFER FUNDING FOR PRACTICES LIKE WATER DEVELOPMENT, AS WELL AS GRASS, TREE AND WILDLIFE PLANTINGS. KUCK SAYS THE BUDGET AVAILABLE FOR THESE 2008 PROGRAM HAS NOT YET BEEN ANNOUNCED, BUT HE EXPECTS FEW SUPRISES. “WE’RE STILL …. Q: FEW YEARS :25. LANDOWNERS INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN ANY OF THESE CONSERVATION PROGRAMS SHOULD CONTACT THEIR COUNTY USDA SERVICE CENTER. I’M PG REPORTING FOR THE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE…HELPING PEOPLE HELP THE LAND 8/2 W