Funds Available to Improve Health of Watersheds Draining into Gulf

Randall Weiseman Florida, USDA-NRCS

Gainesville, FL – If you are an agricultural producer living in the Escambia River or Middle Suwannee River Area watersheds, the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Acting State Conservationist, Roney Gutierrez, encourages you to contact your local NRCS office before March 15, 2013. Florida farmers and ranchers in these watersheds may be eligible for the Gulf of Mexico Initiative (GoMI). The initiative is designed to help improve water quality and ensure sustainable production of food and fiber.


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“The Gulf of Mexico is an important environmental and economic resource of this state and it is important we help farmers in the Gulf Coast Region do their part,” said Gutierrez. “Financial assistance is available to help eligible producers focus on reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, and improving wildlife habitat on cropland, pastureland, and forestland.”
NRCS and their conservation partners developed this initiative in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and President Obama’s call to help restore the waters, shores, and wildlife populations along the Gulf Coast.
All NRCS conservation programs are voluntary but participants must meet eligibility requirements. For more information about signing-up for this initiative contact your NRCS office below:

Suwannee County District Conservationist:
Chris Menhennett, 386-362-2622, x3 * 10096 US Highway 129, Live Oak, FL, 32060
Lafayette County District Conservationist:
Melvin DeShazior, 386-294-1851, x3 * 176 SW Community Circle, Ste C, Mayo, FL, 32066
Escambia County District Conservationist:
Josh McElhaney, 850-587-5404, x3 * 151 Highway 97, Molina, FL, 32577

Additional information on NRCS, conservation assistance, and programs is available on the web at www.fl.nrcs.usda.gov or at your local USDA – NRCS office.