Farmers wanted for conservation program

ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — Mississippi farmers are being encouraged to sign up for a Farm Service Agency program aimed at defeating erosion, promoting clean air and reinforcing wildlife habitat.

The Conservation Reserve Program of the FSA will pay farmers and landowners to voluntarily transform land for the project.

Darryl Waller, FSA executive director for Tate and DeSoto counties, tells the Commercial Appeal the farmland will be replaced with trees, shrubs and grass to help with air quality, water quality and wildlife.

Waller says the offer farmers get depends on the “rental rate” for the type of soil on the land. In his district, the annual rate varies now from $50 to $105 an acre. The length of the contracts varies.

Farmers can register through Aug. 27.