NRCS Programs Available:

Conservation Programs

Contact Robert Plawski for more information on any of these programs

715-748-4121 x 112

Conservation Reserve Program Continuous Signup:  This program is similar to the  CRP but this is targeted to certain high-priority conservation practices on eligible land.

   Offers are automatically accepted provided the acreage and producer meet certain eligibility requirements.  Additional incentive are being offered to encourage producers to participate in the Continuous CRP signup.

   Key provisions are:

·        An up front CRP signing Incentive payment of $100-150 per acre (depending on contact length) will be provided on selected practices. This is a one-time payment.

·        A Practice Incentive Payment equal to 40% of the installation costs.  This is a one-time payment.

·        Eligible cropland for CRP must have been planted or considered planted in 2 of the last 5 five years OR Marginal Pastureland that is suitable for use as a riparian buffer to be planted to trees.

·        Eligible practices are:

·        Riparian Buffers

·        Filter Strips

·        Grasses Waterways

·        Shelter belts

·        Field Windbreaks

·        Living Snow Fences

·        Cost Share payments are available for establishing cover to up to 50% of the costs.

·        The contract becomes effective the first day of the month following the month of approval.

 Wetland Reserve Program: The Wetland Reserve Program is a voluntary program to restore wetlands.  Participating landowners can establish conservation easements of wither permanent or 30 year duration, or can enter into restoration cost-share agreements where no easement is involved. 

   In exchange for establishing a permanent easement, the landowner receives payment up to the agricultural value of the land and 100% of the restoration costs for restoring the wetlands.

   The 30 year permanent easement payment is 75% of what would be provided for a permanent easement on the same site and 75% of the restoration cost.

   The voluntary agreements are for a minimum 10 year duration and provide for 75% of the cost of restoring cost-share agreements establish wetland protection and restoration as the primary land use for the duration of the easement or agreement.  In all instances, landowners continue to control access of their land.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program EQIP:

  The Environmental Quality Incentives Program provides technical, educational, and financial assistance to eligible farmers and ranchers to address soil, water, and related natural resource concerns on their lands in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner.

  The program provides assistance to farmers and ranchers in complying with Federal, State, and tribal environmental laws, and encourages environmental enhancement.

  The program is funded through the Commodity Credit Corporation.

  The purposes of the program are achieved through the implementation of a conservation plan which includes structural, vegetative, and land management practices on eligible land. Five- to ten-year contracts are made with eligible producers.

  Cost-share payments may be made to implement one or more eligible structural or vegetative practices, such as animal waste management facilities, terraces, filter strips, tree planting, and permanent wildlife habitat.

    Incentive payments can be made to implement one or more land management practices, such as nutrient management, pest management, and grazing land management.

    Fifty percent of the funding available for the program will be targeted at natural resource concerns relating to livestock production. The program is carried-out primarily in priority areas that may be watersheds, regions, or in multi-state areas, and for significant statewide natural resource concerns that are outside of geographic priority areas.

    All of Taylor County is eligible and you can sign up for cost shares for different conservation practices, such as: manure storage facilities, barnyard repairs, well abandonment, nutrient management, and many others, during announced signup periods.

  Keep in mind, Taylor County also has funds for conservation practices that could be piggy-backed with EQIP funds to provide more cost-share assistance.