Eagle Pass, Texas, May 28, 2013— In response to the ongoing drought in Maverick County, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering additional funding for agriculture operators in the county wishing to address plant health conditions on their land through the agency’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). 

“With so much of the area suffering from a lack of rainfall, this funding will help farmers and ranchers apply conservation practices to reduce the impacts of drought, while improving soil health and productivity,” says Maverick County NRCS District Conservationist Serafin M. Aguirre.

Through this additional EQIP funding, the NRCS will work with landowners in providing assistance to establish and improve plant health on their private lands. Applications will be accepted in NRCS field offices until June 14. Funding priority will target 129 counties, including Maverick County, which are designated as extreme drought (D3) or exceptional drought (D4), according to the current US Drought Monitor map. Priority counties will be adjusted as the drought changes. 

Aguirre suggests that landowners visit the NRCS field office for a free consultation and to develop a conservation plan, which is an effective management strategy for pasture and rangeland recovery, along with helping mitigate  the effects of Texas’ current drought conditions. 

Interested landowners should contact the local NRCS or Soil and Water Conservation District in Eagle Pass at(830) 773-2518. USDA Service center locations and program information can be found on the Texas NRCS Web site at www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov.