OCTOBER 17, 2005

ISSUE 1085

 

USDA ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR VOLUNTARY CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner announced Friday (October 14) the release of nearly $1.7 billion in fiscal year 2006 funding for voluntary conservation farm bill programs on working lands.

Fiscal year 2006 allocations include $1.345 billion in financial assistance and $337 million for technical assistance for USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service voluntary conservation programs. States will receive additional money after Congress makes final funding decisions through the fiscal year 2006 appropriations process.

Key voluntary conservation programs and allocations include the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Ground and Surface Water Conservation, Wetlands Reserve Program, and the Conservation Security Program. Additional information on conservation programs is available at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs.