10/30/07 EQIP deadline reminder; ag photo contest

Washington Ag October 30, 2007 A reminder that this Friday, November 2nd is the deadline for applications for Washington producers wanting to participate in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, or EQIP. Dave Brown, assistant state conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, says that deadline is two weeks earlier than last year. Brown: "We moved up the deadline this year to November the 2nd in an effort to try and get as much time for field office folks to work with our producers on contracts prior to the new farm bill rolling out." Of interest to orchardists is that starting in 2008 EQIP is offering financial assistance for integrated pest management practices such as mating disruption, use of reduced risk pesticides and low volume tower sprayers. You can apply for EQIP at local NRCS offices. Shutterbugs of all ages can begin working on photographs right now for the photography contest for the 2008 Spokane Ag Expo. Photographers are asked to submit entries depicting "Agriculture in the Inland Northwest" by November 16th. The photos will be displayed at the Spokane Expo, which will be held February 5-7 2008. Entry forms and rules can be found at www.agshow.org I'm Bob Hoff.