LITTLE
ROCK - The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Wildlife
Federation are teaming up to conduct two free seminars that will help
farmers and other land managers take advantage of the 2002 Farm Bill's
Conservation Programs and the financial benefits they provide.
The two seminars will be in Jonesboro and Marianna. They are
co-sponsored by Nucor-Yamato Steel. Representatives from the Farm
Service Agency and the Natural Resource Conservation Service will be in
attendance to give guidance to landowners who are interested in signing
up for the widely expanded conservation programs.
The seminars will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the following
locations: Feb. 22, Huntington Building, 900 W. Monroe, Jonesboro; and
Feb. 24, The Community House, 67 W. Main, Marianna.
"In the Farm Bill, there is a vast array of conservation programs that
benefit wildlife while giving substantial income supplements to the
farmers," said David Long, agricultural liaison for the AGFC. "It's a
win-win situation in which farmers can voluntarily retire marginal
cropland to create wildlife habitat, and they will reap significant
supplemental income for their efforts. In fact, income from some of
these incentive programs can be more than the crop income farmers
currently are realizing. At these two seminars, we are emphasizing
programs that benefit quail."
The seminars are open to the public, according to Terry Horton,
executive director of the Arkansas Wildlife Federation. "The programs
will cover virtually every conservation program, and the related
financial incentives that the Farm Bill provides for Arkansas'
landowners." Horton said. "The Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands
Reserve Program, Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program and the
Environmental Quality Incentives Program will be fully explained. At the
seminars, we want the farmers to learn how they can help wildlife and
obtain much-needed supplemental income. The biggest key to wildlife
success in Arkansas is providing habitat on privately owned lands. It's
great that the farmers can receive income for helping fish and wildlife
resources."
It is not necessary to register before attending the seminars, but
organizers would like to plan for refreshments and seating. Contact the
Arkansas Wildlife Federation at (877) 945-2543 or (501) 224-9200 in
Little Rock for more information
