The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking applications for conservation financial assistance from forest owners and agricultural producers within the Thornapple-Kalamazoo Water Quality Project. The project, created through the USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program, includes portions of Allegan, Barry, Eaton, Ionia, Kent, and Ottawa counties.
The Thornapple-Kalamazoo Water Quality Project is led by the Barry Conservation District and is administered through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The project provides financial assistance for a variety of conservation practices that will help improve water quality and aquatic habitats in the Thornapple River, Rabbit River, and Gun River watersheds. Farmers and non-industrial forest owners have until Dec. 2, 2022 to apply for the current round of funding.
Conservation financial assistance is available for implementing designated conservation practices on agricultural land and private non-industrial forest land. Some practices eligible for financial assistance include forest management plans, forest stand improvement, grazing management plans, conservation tillage, cover crops, tree and shrub planting, and many others.
In addition to the Barry Conservation District, other project partners include the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, Allegan Conservation District and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute.
For more information, including how to submit an application, producers should contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also apply online using the farmers.gov portal.
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