The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a federal program that provides technical and financial (cost share) assistance to land users to address natural resource concerns. NRCS is asking for local input for the fiscal year 2010 program.

EQIP is administered in Kentucky using 14 ranking areas across the state. The ranking areas consist of multiple counties that have been determined to have similar farming operations and resource concerns. Applicants within each ranking area compete only with others in that ranking area. NRCS has asked for local input from each of the 14 areas.

A Local Work Group meeting for the ranking area consisting of Logan, Warren, Simpson, Barren, Butler, Monroe, Allen, Metcalfe, and Hart counties is scheduled for November 19th, 9 a.m. until 12 noon. at WKU Ag Expo Center in Bowling Green, KY.

The Local Work Group was established by the 2002 Farm Bill as a group to provide recommendations to NRCS on local natural resource priorities and criteria for conservation activities and programs. Originally, this group was limited to governmental representatives, however, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) has now made Local Work Group meetings public meetings and all interested persons are invited to attend.

This is your opportunity to have input regarding the ranking criteria for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

For additional information or if you have questions, or require special accommodations please contact Craig Givens or Dianna Penrod at 270-726-1371.

For more information regarding EQIP and local ranking areas, visit NRCS Web site at http://www.ky.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/2009EQIP/

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).