(Rock Port)--If you're even remotely thinking of incorporating soil conservation practices into your farming operation in Northwest Missouri one really good person to talk to is Chris Rader.

Rader, the NRCS Soil Conservationist for both Holt and Atchison Counties loves talking soil conservation as producers and landowners in the Show-Me State are doing a good job but Rader is hoping folks will consider even more soil-saving and soil-enhancing practices in the future.

Rader, originally from Weston, Missouri, studied Agriculture Business at Southwest Missouri State University. She and her husband, Tony, have two children: Jacey and Rennick. She interned with the NRCS at Greene and Clinton counties before moving to Northwest Missouri in 2000. She's been a District Conservationist in KMAland since 2006.

Rader says opportunities still exist to get involved with the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, a program that encourages farmers and landowners to try new conservation practices not currently being employed on the farm.

This list of possibilities is pretty long as well. Utilizing cover crops like cereal rye and radishes, building terraces, waterways, filter strips, dirt and earth work and certain types of tile work all fit into the EQUIP Program where the ultimate goal is soil retention and soil enhancement.

With the early harvest, Rader says there are good opportunities still out there to not only learn about EQUIP but to set some positive practices in motion as well in advance of next year's 2013 spring planting.

If you'd like to visit with Chris or a member of her outstanding staff, please give her a call in Mound City at 816-390-3014 or in Rock Port at 816-390-3014.

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