Contact Jason Barrick, District Conservationist
715-273-8017, [email protected]
Ellsworth, Wis. – November 02, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced a special Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding opportunity for agricultural producers and landowners under the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI) to improve water quality in the Rush River and ultimately, the Mississippi River. The special signup is made available through a NRCS partnership with the Pierce County Land Conservation Department and others.
Special funding under EQIP-MRBI will be available specifically in selected subwatersheds of the Rush River in Pierce County, including Town of Martell-Rush River, Goose Creek-Trimbelle River, Spring Creek-Trimbelle River, Little Trimbelle River, and Crystal Springs Coulee-Rush River. Applications are accepted at any time but are due to the Ellsworth NRCS service center office by November 20, 2020 to be considered for this year’s funding.
Targeted conservation work in the Mississippi River Basin will unite the USDA, farmers, and local organizations to help clean waterways that flow into the nation’s largest river. USDA’s NRCS is investing funds nationwide in high-priority watersheds, like the Rush River, that will help improve water quality and strengthen agricultural operations. This investment is part of a multiyear commitment to address critical water quality concerns in priority watersheds while boosting rural economies.
“Putting NRCS conservation practices on the ground helps clean and conserve water, makes agricultural operations more productive and resilient, and stimulates rural economies by tapping into help from biologists, foresters, grading contractors, welders, engineers, and many more professions during the implementation process,” said Angela Biggs, State Conservationist in Wisconsin.
Visit or contact your local NRCS service center in Ellsworth, for more information: Jason Barrick, District Conservationist, Ellsworth, (715) 273-8017, [email protected].