JACKSON — State Conservationist Al Garner has announced up to $1.3 million for the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative signup. Administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Mississippi Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative is a voluntary initiative.

CCPI allows landowners and operators of agricultural and non-industrial private forest lands to use selected conservation programs and resources from eligible partners to put conservation on the land. Under this program, NRCS enters into agreements with eligible partners that want to enhance conservation on agricultural and non-industrial private forest lands.

Partners include federally recognized state and local units of governments, producer associations, farmer cooperatives, colleges and universities and non-governmental organizations with a history of working closely with producers.

For additional information about CCPI, go to http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ccpi/. For details, contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office.