Agricultural producers have until Dec. 21 to apply for financial and technical assistance through Washington's popular Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

The voluntary program can help farmers improve irrigation efficiency, manage nutrient run-off and animal waste, improve native plant community health and reduce soil loss, according to a news release. In general, producers who participate pay for about half of the costs of the conservation measures or practices.

In 2012, Washington farmers qualified for almost $17 million through the program, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

While Natural Resources Conservation Service programs operate on a year-round signup basis, and applications can be submitted at any time, periodic deadlines are set so applications on file at that time can be evaluated for the next available funding.

A second signup cutoff will be set for Feb. 15 if additional funding becomes available.

For more information, contact the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Prosser at 509-786-1923 (Benton County residents) or in Pasco at 509-545-8546 (Franklin County residents).