LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced several projects aimed at protecting natural resources in the Mississippi River basin in Arkansas.
Officials announced Thursday that farmers and landowners in parts of Crittenden, Cross, Mississippi and Poinsett counties have until July 1 to apply for financial assistance to implement conservation practices through the Lower St. Francis Mississippi River Basin Health Watershed Initiative.
The goal is to reduce the nutrient loss from agricultural land used to grow rice and soybeans through improved nutrient use efficiency and reduced runoff from fields.
Part of the focus of the conservation efforts will be improved irrigation water management.
The Agriculture Department says landowners interested in the project should contact Natural Resources Conservation Service field centers in one of the four counties or go online to www.ar.nrcs.usda.gov.
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