The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications to help producers improve water and air quality, build healthier soil, improve grazing and forest lands, conserve energy, enhance organic operations and achieve other environmental benefits, according to a press release.

Minnesota producers implement conservation practices through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the agency’s largest farm bill conservation program. Interested producers should visit their local NRCS service center for information on EQIP sign up periods.

EQIP provides financial assistance for a variety of conservation activities, such as drainage water management, reduced tillage, field buffers, rotational grazing systems and more. Remaining sign up deadlines are Jan. 17, Feb. 21 and March 21.

Additionally NRCS offers special initiatives through EQIP including on-farm energy initiative that helps producers conserve energy on their operations and an organic initiative that helps producers to install conservation practices on certified organic operations or those working toward organic certification.

To participate in EQIP an individual, entity or joint operation must meet EQIP eligibility criteria. Applicants can sign up at their local NRCS service center.