SOMIS, CA, April 15, 2011 – Dawn Afman, newly appointed District Conservationist for USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Ventura County, today announced that countywide conservation contracts have been selected for fiscal year 2011. According to Afman, 12 farmers and ranchers are receiving contracts totaling $520,000 under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

The projects address a spectrum of resource concerns including water conservation, riparian restoration, erosion control, integrated pest management, fire safety, invasive species and more to protect the soil, water, air, forests and wildlife of Ventura County.
Ventura County has received over $3 million for EQIP conservation projects since 2006. EQIP funding throughout the state of California totals XYZ million for 2011.

Afman says that now is the time to plan projects for the 2012 fall sign ups. “The well-planned projects compete most favorably for funding and ultimately are better able to meet the environmental and economic objectives intended,” she says. Afman may be contacted at 805-386-4489 x 101, dawn.afman@ca.usda.gov or by visiting the office at 3380 Somis Road.