Funds Available For Conservation Farming

Deadline is July 11 for Waimanalo farmers with an interest in water conservation to file applications for grant funding from the Oahu Resource Conservation and Development council.

ORCD has partnered with the state Department of Health to provide grants for farmers who are interested in installing structures that minimize soil erosion and maintain water quality, including cover crops, vegetative barriers, terraces, grassed waterways, windbreaks, compost structures, riparian restoration and rain gardens.

Grants will cover up to 67 percent of the total cost of construction.

Priority will be given to small-scale agricultural operations within the 800 acres in the Waimanalo watershed between Waimanalo and Kahawai streams.

An information session will be held June 26 at Waimanalo Market, where ORCD staff will be available to chat with interested applicants.

Application materials are available at orcd.org.

For more information, call Hannah Bergemann at 622-9026 or email her at hannah.bergemann@oahurcd.org.