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Mission Statement:
The mission of the Brown Soil &
Water Conservation District is to provide the leadership in promoting and
protecting the integrity of Brown County's soil, water and other natural
resources through technical assistance and education.
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USDA Natural
Resources Conservation Service
The Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) is a division of the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA). The NRCS office implements the 2002 Farm Bill.
The 2002 Farm Bill offers America's farmers more incentives than ever before to
voluntarily conserve natural resources on our nation's privately owned farmland.
Its conservation provisions help reduce erosion, guard streams and rivers,
restore and establish fish and wildlife habitat, and improve air quality.
Managed Haying and Grazing
of CRP
Before haying or grazing, CRP
participants:
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Shall request approval to
hay or graze eligible acreage
-
Obtain a modified
conservation plan to include haying or grazing requirements, as determined
by NRCS. Note: The haying or grazing plan must be site specific and
reflect the local wildlife needs and concerns.
-
Participant shall leave
at least 25% of each field or contiguous CRP fields ungrazed for wildlife,
or graze not more than 75% of the stocking rate determined by NRCS.
Guidelines for CRP:
-
Haying and grazing can only be completed
on the same acreage once every 3 years.
-
Eligible acreage is limited to land
enrolled in practices CP-1, CP-2, CP-10.
-
A 25% reduction in the annual payment
will be appli9ed against the acreage hayed or grazed.
-
Producers MUST make
application and receive approval in writing to conduct managed haying and
grazing on CPR acreage. A haying and/or grazing play must be signed
with the NRCS office.
-
Grazing can only be
conducted between July 16th and February 28th and cannot exceed a total of
120 days.
-
Haying can only be
completed between July 16th and October 13th. All hay must be removed
by the earlier of 10 days after harvest or October 30th.
-
Harvesting cannot begin
until after July 15th and all paperwork is signed and approved through FSA
or NRCS.
HABITAT BUFFERS FOR UPLAND
BIRDS
There has been much interest in this new CRP program that was
introduced in 2005. The program is intended to create field borders to
provide food and cover for bobwhite quail and other wildlife. Producers
receive annual incentive payments for 10 years and incentive payments for
enrolling. If you are interested in applying, call the office today!
Financial and Economic Incentives
The US Department of Agriculture offers a variety of financial incentives to
producers and landowners interested in conservation programs. Some
programs offer annual payments for a conservation use, others offer one time
up-front payments for long term easements for a conservation use and most
include government funds to share in the costs of installing conservation
measures.
Technical Help The
NRCS office helps plan and use conservation practices on private lands.
Technical assistance is provided on a day-to-day basis, and contributes to the
value of the Farm Bill conservation program.
Conservation
Practices and Programs for your Farm
|
Program |
Eligible Land |
Length of Agreement |
Rental Payment |
Easement |
Cost Share |
Producer Obligations |
|
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) |
Highly
erodible cropland that has been planted for 4 or the 6 years proceeding
enactment of the 2002 law. Marginal pastureland is also eligible. |
10 - 15 years |
$
annual payment based on length of agreement |
|
$ up to 50% |
Develop
and follow a plan for the conservation of cropland to a less intensive use.
Also, assist with the cost, establishment, and maintenance of conservation
practice. |
|
Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) |
Most
private wetlands converted to agricultural use prior to 1985 are eligible.
Wetland must be restorable and suitable for wildlife benefits. |
10 or 30 years; permanent |
|
$ one-time, up front
payment |
$ up to 100%
|
Develop
and follow a plan for the restoration and maintenance of the wetland. If
necessary, assist with the cost of restoration. |
|
Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) |
Private
grassland, shrubland and land containing forbs or land that historically
contained those features is eligible. |
10,15,20, or 30 years; permanent |
$ annual payment based
on length of agreement
|
$ one-time, up front
payment
|
$ up to 90%
|
Develop
and comply with a plan for the easement or restoration agreement; assist
with the remaining installation costs. |
|
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) |
All
private land is eligible, unless it is currently enrolled in CRP, WRP, or a
similar program. |
5-15 years |
|
|
$ up to 75%
|
Prepare
and follow a wildlife habitat development plan; assist with installation
costs. |
|
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) |
All
private land in agriculture production is eligible; includes cropland,
grassland, pastureland and non-industrial private forestland. |
1-10 years |
|
|
$ up to 75%
|
Develop
and follow an EQIP plan that describes the conservation and environmental
purpose to the achieved; assist with installation costs. |
|
Conservation Security Program (CSP) |
All
private agricultural land and forested land that is an incidental part of an
agricultural operation is eligible. |
5-10 years |
$ annual payment based
on length of agreement |
|
$ up to 75%
|
A
conservation security plan is required to install and/or maintain
conservation practices on working lands. |
|
Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP) |
All
non-industrial private forestland are eligible for financial, technical, and
educational assistance. |
10 years or more |
|
|
$ up to 75%
|
Develop
and implement a management plan; assist with the remaining installation
cost. |
| Farm
and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP) |
Private
land that contains prime farmland or other unique resources and is subject
to a pending easement from an eligible entity. |
Permanent |
|
$ one-time, up front
payment
|
|
Continue
to use the land for agricultural purposes. Develop a conservation plan and
comply with the terms of the easement. |
* This is only a
informational table for website use. Please verify all program requirement
and cost share rates with your local NRCS office. The most up to date
information will be at the Brown County NRCS office 937-378-4424.
* Application to and
participation in USDA Conservation Programs depend on the resource concerns and
rural needs as determined by priorities set by USDA policies outlined in the
2002 Farm Bill Conservation Provisions.
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