For immediate release

Effort to improve water quality in Puget Sound receives funding through USDA

SPOKANE, Wash. (Aug. 3, 2009) – A Washington agricultural project addressing farm planning, cover cropping and soil testing to improve water quality in Puget Sound will receive nearly $54,000, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced recently.

Nationwide, 63 projects in 21 states will receive $58 million for water conservation and water quality improvements on agricultural working lands. The funding is made available through NRCS’ Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP).

The Washington program is targeting agricultural producers in King, Snohomish, Skagit and Pierce Counties who are interested in receiving technical and financial assistance to implement cover crop and nutrient management practices.

“AWEP is a voluntary conservation initiative, administered by the NRCS, that provides financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers to improve water conditions on their agricultural land,” NRCS Assistant State Conservationist Dave Brown said. “This program can help producers who are ready to implement cover crop and nutrient management right away,” he said.

The goal of the Puget Sound project is to reduce non-point source pollution and soil sedimentation of tributaries to Puget Sound through a multi-faceted approach that integrates detailed farm planning, soil testing, targeted fertilization, and winter cover cropping. Washington State University (WSU) Extension is a partner in the effort.

“Through the project, county WSU Extension educators will also offer an educational workshop series in late summer that will focus on developing a farm management plan and how to interpret soil sample results,” Brown said. “The workshops will include growers who are enrolled in AWEP as well as those who may want to enroll in the future.”

Agricultural producers in the four county area will have until August 14 to sign up to participate in the program.

Those receiving assistance through AWEP must meet the eligibility and program requirements of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), though they do not need to have existing EQIP contracts.

“Agricultural producers, especially those who have not worked with USDA in the past, should contact their local USDA service center office right away to learn more about the program, and to ensure they have time to update eligibility information prior to the deadline,” Brown said.

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