The U-S-D-A Farm Service Agency is expanding a program that pays landowners to create more habitat for birds. Mike Musel, a conservation specialist at the state F-S-A office, says the program focuses on songbirds and quail.
He says the F-S-A and Quails Unlimited developed this program to help increase the quail and songbird population. He says the program was originally limited to the original quail range around the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.
Musel says they’re now expanding that statewide. He says producers that have land qualified to get U-S-D-A payments can sign up. He says the land does not have to have crop history as its a marginal pastureland program.
Musel the ultimate goal is to increase the habitat and the populations of the birds in Iowa. He says the increasing mechanization of farming and clean tillage has taken away much of the habitat used by the birds. Musel says you can call your local Farm Service Agency County Office to find out more or to sign up for the program. He says they’ll continue the sign up until the 20-thousand eligible acres are allotted.