Deadline set for Farm Bill programs

The Natural Resources Conservation Service set a Sept. 30 deadline for two of its Farm Bill assistance programs. The service provides financial and technical assistance to help South Carolina landowners address natural resource concerns, promote environmental quality and protect wildlife habitat.

The cost-share funds are available through two sources.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program helps farmers improve production while protecting environmental quality by addressing such concerns as soil erosion and productivity, grazing management, water quality, animal waste and forestry concerns. It also assists eligible small-scale farmers who have not participated in or ranked high enough to be funded in previous program sign ups.

The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program assists landowners who want to improve wildlife habitat or restore natural ecosystems on their land. Applying by Sept. 30 increases a farmer's chance of receiving funds.

For more information, log on to www.sc.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/. Landowners and operators in Berkeley and Charleston counties should contact the local field office, 2270 Northbrook Blvd., A-8, North Charleston, at 727-4160, ext. 3.