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Conservation Connection e-blast...the latest news from NRCS Massachusetts and our partnersSent via e-mail on March 17, 2009 Workshops planned for Mass. farmers and forest land owners to learn about federal conservation programsSix Massachusetts conservation districts will host informational workshops on federal conservation programs available through the 2008 Farm Bill. Local farmers, forest land owners and other interested parties are invited to attend the workshops, which will be held in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Economic Recovery funding available to Massachusetts landowners to restore and protect flood-prone landsMassachusetts landowners with land in flood-prone areas may apply for assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS will provide up to $145 million nationwide to eligible landowners through the floodplain easement component of its Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program. The funds will be used to restore an estimated 60,000 acres of frequently flooded land in the U.S. to its natural state and create jobs. Eligible landowners can sign up for these easements through March 27, 2009 at their local USDA Service Center. Farmland and forest land owners: start planning now for conservation needs$13 million in federal assistance is available in Massachusetts through 2008 Farm Bill Sign-up is underway for federal conservation programs under the 2008 Farm Bill and in order to participate, a conservation plan is essential. Anyone who owns or manages farmland or forest land in Massachusetts and would like technical or financial assistance to protect their natural resources is urged to contact their local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office soon to begin the planning process. Applications for Farm Bill conservation programs may be submitted at any time, but May 1, 2009 is the cut-off date for the first round of ranking and funding in Massachusetts. To receive the Massachusetts Conservation Connection by e-mail, to be removed from the list, or to submit news items, please send an e-mail message to Diane.Petit@ma.usda.gov. Helping People Help the LandNRCS Massachusetts State Office: 451 West Street, Amherst, MA 01002 | 413-253-4350 | fax 413-253-4395 | www.ma.nrcs.usda.gov Christine S. Clarke, State Conservationist Massachusetts Conservation Connection editor: Diane Baedeker Petit, Public Affairs Officer NRCS field offices are located at USDA Service Centers
in Barnstable, Greenfield, Hadley, Holden, Pittsfield, Westford and West
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