07/03/07 EQUIP Workshop

EQUIP Workshop. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. The NRCS or Natural Resources Conservation Service is inviting fruit growers who are looking to implement an integrated pest management program to a series of seminars on the subject according to Nana Simone the tree fruit EQIP coordinator. SIMONE: Equip or Environmental Quality Incentives Program is a program administered by the NRCS and the intent of the program is to provide growers with cost shares and incentive payments to implement good conservation practices on the farm that are compatible with the economics of growing. According to Simone, tree fruit growers haven't had much help. SIMONE: There hasn't been much in terms of payments for one of our biggest concerns which is assisting growers in converting to more advanced IPM methods. She also suggests that if you've applied before&do it again. SIMONE: Some of the payments that are being offered are new and so people who have applied before and not obtained a contract shouldn't give up; consider reapplying. There are a number of these free seminars planned across the state. SIMONE: The objective of the workshop is to explain the program in some depth. Help growers think about whether it's a program that makes sense on their farm and talk about what they need to think about in order to submit a competitive application. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network. For more information visit http://www.treefruitresearch.com/eqip-program-information/ To RSVP or for further information please contact Naná Simone, at 509-667-9557 or email Naná at nanas@nwi.net