Farmers and landowners in several communites in Southeast Arkansas are urged to submit applications for funding to implement conservation practices.
Until July 1, farmers and landowners in portions of Ashley and Chicot counties may apply for financial assistance through the Bayou Boeuf Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watershed Initiative (MRBI) project.
Those in portions of Chicot and Desha counties have until July 1 to submit applications through the Middle Bayou Macon Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watershed Initiative (MRBI) project.
Under MRBI, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service will provide technical and financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program for the project.
The goal of the conservation partners involved is to reduce the nutrient loss from agricultural land (primarily cropped to rice and soybeans) through improved nutrient use efficiency and reduced runoff from agricultural fields. The focus of the conservation efforts will be utilization of variable rate fertilizer application rate technology and improved irrigation water management.
Landowners interested in signing up or wanting more information should contact one of the following NRCS Field Service Centers: Chicot County, (870) 265-2608, ext. 3 and Ashley County, (870) 853-9881, ext.3.
Additional information about the MRBI project, a project area map and conservation practices, is available at www.ar. nrcs.usda.gov/programs/mrbi.html.