EAST LANSING — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has funds available for Michigan farmers and forest owners to implement conservation practices that will improve and conserve the state’s water, soil, and other natural resources.

Applications must be submitted by Nov. 22 for this round of funding.

The conservation funds are available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The funding includes additional funds provided through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

EQIP funding is available for a wide range of conservation practices on all types of agricultural operations and private forestland. Funding is typically provided after the conservation practice is in place but advance funding is available for qualifying producers.

Examples of conservation practices eligible for EQIP include forest management plans, cover crops, prescribed grazing plans, residue management (including conservation tillage and no till), pest and nutrient management plans, timber stand improvement, and tree and windbreak planting.

For more information about EQIP and other USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service programs, go to www.mi.nrcs.usda.gov.