The USDA will fund the grant through a federal sustainable agriculture program set up to help farmers save water and lessen their impact on the environment. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says cropland with at least 85 percent less water than normal will be given priority.
“They may want to improve their irrigation system,” says Vilsack. “They may want to stabilize that fallow ground that can’t be farmed to avoid soil erosion. They may want to improve their watering facilities for livestock.”
Projects like rehabilitating existing springs and using cover crops to enrich soil will also be funded under the grant. The money is part of the federal government’s Climate Action Plan to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
The last day to apply for federal assistance is March 3rd.
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