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NRCS Signing Up Farmers for 2014 Conservation Programs

SSS

The USDA"s Natural Resources Conservation Service is encouraging Iowa farmers to sign up for conservation programs for next year but as of now those programs have no funding.

The funding for these programs would be provided by either a new farm bill or another extension to the current bill, which expires at the end of this month.

Larry Beeler,  Conservationist with the Iowa NRCS, said that making the plans required for an application takes months, so they want to be ready when congress acts.

He said the while the situation is quite uncertain they are working under the assumption, for planning purposes, that the programs will be funded at similar levels next year.

"We rely on congress to analyze all the financial needs and we will allow them to work through the process and determine those funding levels. And we'll be ready to proceed with producers once we know that," Beeler said.

The deadline to be included in the first group of applications is Oct 4th.

Beeler also stressed that no final agreements can be actually be signed until funding is provided under a new bill or extension.
 

Scott Stuntz is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.