Transcript USDA-NRCS COST SHARE PROGRAM

USDA-NRCS COST
SHARE PROGRAM
BILL HUGHES
STATE RESOURCE
CONSERVATIONIST
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
INCENTIVES PROGRAM (EQIP)
 Regular
Program…………….$10,412,279
Special Programs
Litter Transport………………….$692,885
Invasive Species………………..$293,178
Water Conservation…………….$236,900
Total EQIP.…………………….$11,656,824
OTHER PROGRAMS
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Wildlife Habitat Incentives
Program (WHIIP)…………………………...…$426,955
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Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)
 Contracts………………..…………..…..….$269,000
 Easement..………………………………….$373,400
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Wetland Reserve Program (WRP)
 Easement………………………….………..$680,000
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Farm & Ranchland Protection
Program (FRPP)
 Easements………………………….......…$1,035,500
Total Cost Shares/Easements
 $14,344,300
EQIP Regular Program
 Erosion
on Cropland
 Water Quality—Animal Waste
 Grazing Lands
 Water Conservation
 At-Risk Species (wildlife and ecosystems)
EQIP—Litter Transport
 Movement
of Poultry Litter from heavy
poultry production counties to others
 Contracts with recipient producers
 Three years maximum
 Establish relationships and develop
logistics for continued usage of litter
 Funded by Ranking
EQIP-Invasive Species
 Assist
Landowners in controlling invasive
plants identified by Invasive Plant Council
 Follow recommended treatment
herbicides, timing and management
 Incentive payments for 3 years and one
year follow-up
 Funded by Ranking
EQIP-Water Conservation
 To
assist producers in making existing
irrigation systems more efficient
 3 year incentive payments
 Retooling or replacing system
 Other water conserving agronomic and
management practices associated
 Funded by Ranking
Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program
 Develop
Habitats to encourage
populations of at-risk or species with less
than potential populations in the state
 Habitats: Longleaf pine ecosystem, early
successional habitat, Open-Canopy
Forests, etc.
 Target Species: T&E’s, quail, waterfowl,
neo-tropical birds
Grassland Reserve Program
 Agreements
with landowners to retain land
in grass into future.
 10, 15, 20, 30 year Long Term Agreements
 30 year and Perpetual Easements
 Protect from conversion to other uses, i.e.
urban sprawl, cultivation, forested
Wetland Reserve Program
 To
return prior converted wetlands back to
a planned wetland condition
 Long Term Agreements, 30 year &
Perpetual Easements
 All Perpetual Easements to date
Farm & Ranchland Protection
Program
 To
protect prime and unique farmland from
risk of conversion to non-farm uses, i.e.
commercial or residential development
 Perpetual easement to purchase
development rights
 Able to retain in farming, following normal
farming practices
 Able to transfer to family, sell, etc. with
easement attached
Conservation Security Program
(CSP)
 Wheeler
Lake Watershed
 700,000 acres
 5,500 farms
 Parts of 8 Alabama counties and 3
Tennessee Counties
 High percentage and acres of Cropland
and Pasture
Cropland
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Crop Rotation (2-3 years high residue crop in
rotation)
Conservation Tillage (High Residue)
Field Borders
Terraces, waterways, etc. as needed
Nutrient Management
Pest Management
Willing to pursue additional conservation
enhancements
Pasture
 Following
Grazing Plan (rotating pasture)
 Cross Fencing
 Water Supplies
 Pest Management
 Nutrient Management
 Keep livestock and grazing records
 Willing to pursue additional conservation
enhancements