COLUMBUS, Ohio — Looking for a little extra cash? The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has $2 million available for farmers willing to have edge-of-field monitoring systems installed on their property.

The monitoring devices are tools for evaluating conservation practices, and the money is available to farmers in 327 watersheds in eight states, including Ohio, Indiana and Michigan.

"It’s critical for NRCS to be able to determine which of our practices work best for controlling nutrients coming off the fields, both in subsurface drainage water, the tile drains and the surface water," said Barbara Baker, assistant state conservationist.

"It’s very select watersheds where NRCS believes it can get good data to help us determine what practices work best for controlling nutrients getting into waterways," Baker said.

According to Baker, there are 16 watershed in Ohio that are eligible for funding.

"We’re always looking for producers who are willing to have a scientist install these devices on properties so we can get that broader picture of what’s happening on the landscape," Baker said. "Long term data helps us determine whether it’s just a weather phenomenon or a trend from one year to the next."

The monitoring devices are small and include a small flue that collects water into one area of the property. Baker assures that the devices will not interfere with farming practices. Conservation practices typically evaluated include planting cover crops and using no till, nutrient management, and practices to reduce and trap nutrients and sediments.

"This voluntary effort will increase economic efficiency for the producer and maximize yields while also conserving natural resources," said Terry Cosby, NRCS state conservationist for Ohio. "Edge-of-field monitoring, combined with in-stream monitoring, can provide a more thorough picture of improvements within a watershed."

Other states involved in this funding include Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Vermont and Wisconsin.

The financial assistance, available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), helps farmers install and maintain the monitoring systems for up to 9 years.

"The results of data collected will be maintained confidentially for farmers’ use and for use by the conservation partners responsible for monitoring," Cosby said.

NRCS first introduced edge-of-field monitoring as an opportunity through farm bill conservation programs in 2013 and has already funded the installation of 25 monitoring projects.

Information is available at local NRCS offices. The deadline to apply is July 24.