The Natural Resources Conservation Service will hold an informational meeting from 10 a.m. to noon and from 6 to 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Butler Farm Service office.

The meeting will cover various Farm Bill programs but primarily concentrate on the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).

The program is available to nearly all producers. However, those who soil-test, plant hay, no-till, have a crop rotation, apply manure or fertilizer or plant pest resistant or other genetically modified crops and have generally implemented a good level of conservation will fit well into this program.

The program offers five-year contracts on any owned and operated farm ground and will pay about $20 to $30 per acre per year.

For those who might need to improve their level of conservation to increase the likelihood of funding under CSP, the Environmental Quality Incentive Program can help.

Eligible practices under EQIP include transitioning to no-till, cover crops, nutrient management record-keeping, manure storages and winter feeding pads. Grazing systems and other small-project items such as paddock fence and watering systems can also be funded.

Producers are encouraged to attend this meeting to learn more about the latest conservation programs and how these programs can improve the economic viability of their operation.

Registration is required for the evening meeting and may be done by calling our office up to that day.

For those who cannot attend but who would like to enroll in a program, contact our office at 724-482-4800, Ext. 108.

Sign-up is continuous. However, the cutoff for this round of money will be Oct. 29.

Andy Gaver is a conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Butler County.