Application deadline Feb. 3 for Marshall, Putnam special projects

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — State Conservationist Ivan Dozier announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service will offer funding in Marshall and Putnam counties for the Mississippi River Basin Big Bend Enhancing Water-Soil-Habitat Quality project through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

NRCS has partnered with the Marshall-Putnam Soil and Water Conservation District to help producers address resource concerns such as degraded water quality and soil erosion.

Producers can apply for assistance through the Conservation Stewardship Program which allows producers to build on their existing conservation efforts while strengthening their operation through special conservation activities that are offered.

The project focus is to improve water quality in Marshall and Putnam counties. Financial assistance will be available to eligible producers whose land is located in Marshall and Putnam counties.

While applications are accepted throughout the year, interested producers should submit a signed application to the local NRCS field office, or through the www.farmers.gov website using their account, by the cutoff date of Feb. 3 to ensure their applications are considered for 2023 funding.

A blank NRCS-CPA-1200 application form may be obtained from the local office or on the Illinois NRCS website.

Producers wishing to use farmers.gov can sign in or create an account by clicking on “Sign up” in the upper right of the website.

To see if you are eligible to participate in the program, producers should contact their local NRCS field office or visit the Illinois NRCS website at www.il.nrcs.usda.gov.