Grassland Reserve deadline; Iraqi visitors
Washington Ag Today June 23, 2009 Farmers and Ranchers in Western Washington and two Eastern Washington counties have just a short time left to take advantage of a program to help protect their grasslands from development. The 2009 sign up for the USDA’s Grassland Reserve Program ends June 26th. Producers can sign up at USDA Service Centers in Western Washington and in Asotin and Douglas counties. A total of $550,000 has been made available in Washington for this year's GRP signup. Western Washington farmers and ranchers may apply for funding to be used for permanent conservation easements. Priority will be for grasslands that include native grass and forb species. In Asotin and Douglas counties, farmers and ranchers have the option for 10, 15, or 20-year rental contracts. Priority will be given to land expiring from the Conservation Reserve Program. A dozen Iraqi citizens are in Washington for several weeks learning about agricultural extension. It is part of a USDA program that involves Iraq and five U.S. universities including Washington State University. Safir Al Habeeb is an agronomist from Baghdad whose interest is fruits and vegetables. He says the group is learning a lot here. Habeeb: “Of course! Of Course! We see another world.” When asked if Iraqi agriculture can be as productive as the U.S.’s Habeeb’s reply was; Habeeb: “Why not? Why not?” Why not indeed, given that Iraq is part of the Fertile Crescent where agriculture is believed to have originated. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network. ?
