The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service announces a new water quality initiative open to eligible farmers, ranchers and forest landowners in selected watersheds in every state and U.S. territory.

The National Water Quality Initiative offers $33 million in financial and technical assistance to help approved applicants in 157 watersheds install water quality improvement practices such as cover crops, nutrient management, filter strips and terraces.

Applications are due at local NRCS offices (http://go.usa.gov/m2Y) on or before June 15, 2012.

Find out if your watershed is included in the initiative by clicking here.

The NRCS, along with state conservation and water-quality agencies, selected the watersheds based on the potential for conservation practices to improve water quality. NRCS funds the initiative through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.