12/13/06 Fire assistance deadline and more

Washington Ag December 13, 2006 Washington State University vegetable horticulturist Carol Miles will join the faculty of the Washington State University Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center. Miles, who is currently stationed at the WSU Vancouver Research and Extension Unit, will relocate to the Mount Vernon facility early next summer. Miles will continue to support the vegetable industries statewide with applied research on fresh market production, including organic crop production, alternative crops, and soil and fertility management. Her research and extension programs also will address problems associated with product marketing, post harvest handling and shipping. This Friday December 15th is the deadline for producers whose grazing lands were affected by fires this year to sign up for fire recovery assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, EQIP. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service is offering to assist private landowners with documented 2006 wildfires with a $4 an acre per year incentive payment to help offset the cost of alternative pasture. The incentive payment can be made for up to two years. Producers must agree to defer grazing on contracted acres. Contact you local USDA Service Center. I'm Bob Hoff.