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|    | Money for farmland protection finally available, but applicants better hurry (Monday, Sept. 9, 2002 -- CropChoice news) -- The USDA has finally announced the availability of $48 million for
   the Farmland Protection Program and $275 million for the
   Wetlands Reserve Program.
   (http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2002/09/0371.htm).  Release of this
   money, which had been held up by the Office of Management and
   Budget, means that work can begin on enrolling contracts to
   protect working farmland threatened by urban sprawl, and to
   protect and restore up to 250,000 acres of wetlands.  However, the
   delay in getting these funds out the door means that the Natural
   Resources Conservation Service, which administers the programs,
   has only three weeks to sign contracts before the fiscal year ends on
   September 30.  The USDA has indicated that due to the short time
   period, they will be focusing on already-submitted contracts.  If you
   have already filed an application, you can contact your local NRCS
   office for more information.   
   Application guidelines are available at
   http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/farmbill/2002/products.html  
   The news release is available at:
   http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/2002/09/0371.htm | |