Meetings Scheduled For New Conservation Program

Contact: Jasper Parker, 405-742-1243

Stillwater, June 14, 2004—The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is holding eight informational meetings in late June to explain the newest soil and water conservation program to area landowners.

“The Conservation Security Program announced last month by USDA effects many farmers in the Lower Salt Fork of the Arkansas River Watershed area who have been applying conservation practices, and who might like to do more work if needed,” said NRCS State Conservationist Darrel Dominick. Landowners can attend any of the information meetings to learn if they qualify for the new USDA program.

Schedule of meetings:
June 23, 8:00 a.m., Jet, Community Center;
June 25, 8:00 a.m., Tonkawa, First National Bank, Annex Room;
June 25, 8:00 a.m., Cherokee, Baker Building;
June 28, 8:00 a.m., Newkirk, Smith Country Restaurant;
June 28, 8:00 a.m., Wakita, Bicentennial Building;
June 29, 8:00 a.m., Pond Creek, Fire Department;
June 29, 8:00 a.m., Ponca City, Conoco Club House;
June 30, 8:00 a.m., Lamont, Town Hall

The Conservation Security Program is a stewardship program providing payments to producers who maintain and enhance their natural resources. Depending on the amount of conservation now on the land, producers may be eligible for one of three tiered payments.

The tiered payments are: Tier 1—soil and water concerns addressed on part of the farm operation; Tier 2—soil and water concerns addressed on the entire agriculture operation may qualify for a 5 to 10 year contract; and Tier 3—those landowners who have all their natural resource concerns addressed on the entire agriculture operation may qualify for a 5 to 10 year contract with the highest stewardship payments.

The Lower Salt Fork of the Arkansas River Watershed covers parts of Alfalfa, Garfield, Grant, Kay, and Noble counties in Oklahoma and parts of Harper and Barber counties in Kansas. The watershed is one of 18 nationally selected watersheds to start this program.

All programs and services of the Natural Resources Conservation Service are provided in a nondiscriminatory manner.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s Target Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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