Ranchers are invited to apply for Western Oklahoma Wildfire Initiative

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Oklahoma has opened a round of sign-ups for participation in the Western Oklahoma Wildfire Initiative. By providing technical and financial assistance for conservation practices, this allows landowners to improve grazing land that has been effected by the recent wildfires.

Western Oklahoma Wildfire Initiative is available in Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Harmon, Harper, Roger Mills and Woodward Counties. Those interested in participating should apply at their local USDA Service Center by June 1, 2018.

“Conservation planning will identify requirements needed to address recovery of lost watering sources, loss and/or protection of grasses for grazing animals, protection of sensitive areas from erosion, and other identified needs,” said Gary O’Neill, NRCS Oklahoma State Conservationist. “Conservation work provides better forage and grazing lands for livestock and can improve a producer’s operation and management.”

NRCS has seen the devastating effects of these wildfires on agricultural operations and wants producers in these communities to know that NRCS is here for financial and technical assistance. The funding will be made available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. EQIP is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to help plan and implement conservation practices that address priority local and state resource concerns.