$1.4 Million Available to Arizona Farmers, Ranchers to Improve Air Quality

PHOENIX, March 23, 2009 - Agriculture producers seeking to reduce PM10 (dust) and volatile organic compound can apply for help from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. NRCS has $1.4 million in Arizona, along with technical expertise, that is available to farmers and ranchers to improve air quality.

May 1 is the deadline to apply for the assistance. Approved applicants will get up to 75 percent of the project paid; up to 90 percent if the applicant is from a historically underserved group. Five counties are eligible in Arizona, which were identified by the Environmental Protection Agency. Farmers and ranchers in Cochise, Maricopa, Pinal, Santa Cruz, and Yuma counties are eligible.

The help comes in four main areas:

• PM-10 Reduction Initiative: Dust - Road Treatment
• PM-10 Reduction Initiative: Conservation Tillage
• PM-10 Reduction Initiative: Track-Out
• Volatile Organic Compound Reduction Initiative: Dairy Waste

Seven different NRCS offices in Arizona can help local agriculture producers with the air quality program. They include:

Avondale Field Office (623) 535-5055; Casa Grande Field Office (520) 836-1960; Chandler Field Office (480) 988-1078; Douglas Field Office (520) 364-2001; Tucson Field Office (520) 292-2999; Willcox Field Office (520) 384-2229; and Yuma Field Office (928) 782-0860.

NRCS is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Its mission is to help people help the land, and participation in NRCS programs is voluntary. The air quality assistance comes from the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, part of the 2008 Farm Bill.

For more information about the air quality program, contact your local field office or Kevin Stein at 602-280-8800.
 

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