The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has funding to assist Kansas farmers and ranchers renovating shelterbelts and restoring forested riparian buffers, state conservationist Eric B. Banks announced last week.

Signup for the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative is due March 21. The USDA will provide $684,000 in assistance for projects in Kansas. Recipients also may receive services or resources from the state forestry agency.

Any producer eligible for EQIP funding can participate in the program. Beginning farmers and ranchers and those with limited resources will receive a higher payment rate for conservation practices related to the program.

Additional information can be found on http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portalnrcs/main/ks/programs/financial/ccpi/. For more information, contact the local NRCS office or conservation district office.