Outstanding Young Farm Family applications are due Jan. 15. Applicants must be 18-35 years old as of Jan. 31, 2020, and derive most of their income from farming. Applicants will interview during the Young Farmers Conference March 1, and three finalists will be announced to compete for the grand prize package, worth more than $60,000. Learn more at AlfaYoungFarmers.org.

Farm of Distinction applications are due Jan. 25. Three finalists will compete for a prize package worth more than $20,000 and will represent Alabama in the Swisher Sweets / Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year contest in October. To apply or learn more, farmers should visit AlabamaFarmCity.org. 

A Census of Aquaculture is being taken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), along with the annual Catfish Survey. Results will be published Feb. 15 in the Catfish Production Report. Learn more at nass.usda.gov.

Alabama Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) sign-ups end Jan. 25 for the first batching period. EQIP helps landowners implement conservation practices or activities that address natural resource concerns on their land. To apply, visit a local USDA service center or visit nrcs.usda.gov/getstarted to learn more.