Urban Agriculture, Sentinel Lands and Watersmart program deadlines loom

SPOKANE VALLEY – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service has set the application deadline for the Urban Agriculture, Sentinel Lands, and WaterSmart Environmental Quality Incentives Program program signup deadlines for Jan. 24.

These three programs are additional opportunities for Fiscal Year 2022, targeting resource concerns impacting producers within specific locations. Producers interested in applying for any of the programs should review agency maps to determine if their location is applicable.

The programs are:

Urban Agriculture -Natural Resources Conservation Servicecan provide technical and financial assistance for assistance for urban growers in areas such as soil health, irrigation and water conservation, weeds and pests, and high tunnels.

Sentinel Lands - Natural Resources Conservation Service, working with other state and federal partners, have identified areas where focused conservation can affect threatened and endangered species habitat near Joint Base Lewis McChord.

WaterSmart - Natural Resources Conservation Service assists private landowners with implementation of irrigation conservation practices that improve watering efficiency. Project areas are Whitestone Reclamation District and Kittitas Reclamation District.