State Conservationist Eric B. Banks for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced the extension of the cutoff date to April 18, for the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI). Even though CCPI is no longer a program under the 2014 Farm Bill, NRCS will honor existing CCPI agreements through fiscal year 2014. The CCPI provides financial and technical assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to owners and operators of agricultural land and nonindustrial private forestlands.  
This year, the program is funded for shelterbelt renovation and forested riparian buffers. “For farmers and ranchers that need to restore a shelterbelt or want to plant riparian forest buffers, CCPI can provide financial assistance to help with the project,” said Banks.  
In Kansas, socially disadvantaged, limited resource, and beginning farmers and ranchers will receive a higher payment rate for conservation practices related to CCPI.  
For more information on CCPI projects and other natural resources conservation programs, please contact your local NRCS office or conservation district office.  The office is located at your local USDA Service Center (listed in the telephone book under United States Government or on the internet at offices.usda.gov).  More information is also available on the Kansas Web site at www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov.  Follow us on Twitter @NRCS_Kansas. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.