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.

“The Environmental Quality Incentives Program offers farmers, ranchers and forestland managers a variety of options to conserve natural resources,” District Conservationist Gary Kurer said. “This conservation investment helps improve environmental health and the economy of Minnesota’s communities.”

EQIP provides financial assistance for a variety of conservation activities, such as drainage water management, reduced tillage, field buffers, rotational grazing systems and more. The deadline for the only annual signup period in Minnesota is Aug. 19.

NRCS also offers special initiatives through EQIP, including on-farm energy initiatives to help producers conserve energy on their operations and organic initiatives to help producers install conservation practices on certified organic operations or those working toward organic certification.

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