2. Conservation can help you increaseConservation can help you increase
the value of your greatest assetthe value of your greatest asset
Your LandYour Land!
3. The first step to building your wealth is to knowThe first step to building your wealth is to know
everything you can about your land. NRCSeverything you can about your land. NRCS
can help you develop a conservation plan.can help you develop a conservation plan.
Consult Conservation ProfessionalsConsult Conservation Professionals
4. • Map of the farmMap of the farm
• Soils informationSoils information
• Planned practicesPlanned practices
• TimelineTimeline
Plan for SuccessPlan for Success
The best part is … it’s free!The best part is … it’s free!
5. Put the PlanPut the Plan
into Actioninto Action
NRCS has manyNRCS has many
programs available inprograms available in
2011 to help with the2011 to help with the
cost of installingcost of installing
conservationconservation
practices.practices.
6. Environmental QualityEnvironmental Quality
Incentives Program (EQIP)Incentives Program (EQIP)
• Natural Resource ProblemsNatural Resource Problems
––
Fix ThemFix Them
• Environmental DegradationEnvironmental Degradation
• PrioritiesPriorities
• Ranking is CompetitiveRanking is Competitive
8. EQIP Special Initiatives/PilotsEQIP Special Initiatives/Pilots
• Certified Organic andCertified Organic and
Transitioning ProducersTransitioning Producers
• Seasonal High TunnelsSeasonal High Tunnels
• Energy ConservationEnergy Conservation
• Aquaculture Pilot- ShellfishAquaculture Pilot- Shellfish
9. Chesapeake Bay Watershed InitiativeChesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative
• Priority Funding forPriority Funding for
Farmers in the WatershedFarmers in the Watershed
• Focus on minimizingFocus on minimizing
excess nutrients andexcess nutrients and
sediments in the Baysediments in the Bay
10. Wildlife Habitat Incentives ProgramWildlife Habitat Incentives Program
• Wildlife Habitat CreationWildlife Habitat Creation
• Declining HabitatsDeclining Habitats
• Invasive Species ControlInvasive Species Control
• Hardwood ManagementHardwood Management
• Stream and Streamside HabitatsStream and Streamside Habitats
• Wetlands HabitatWetlands Habitat
11. PaymentsPayments
• Contracts of 2 to 10 YearsContracts of 2 to 10 Years
• Up to $300,000 total payment 2008 – 2013Up to $300,000 total payment 2008 – 2013
• 75% of cost of practices in a contract75% of cost of practices in a contract
• Higher Incentives for Special Groups – 90%Higher Incentives for Special Groups – 90%
• Organic Initiative (USDA Certification) :Organic Initiative (USDA Certification) :
• $20,000 Per Year$20,000 Per Year
• $80,000 Over 6 Years$80,000 Over 6 Years
12. Socially Disadvantaged FarmerSocially Disadvantaged Farmer
A farmer who has beenA farmer who has been
subjected to racial orsubjected to racial or
ethnic prejudicesethnic prejudices
because of his/herbecause of his/her
identity as a member ofidentity as a member of
a group without regarda group without regard
to his/her individualto his/her individual
qualities.qualities.
• Native PeoplesNative Peoples
• AsiansAsians
• African AmericansAfrican Americans
• Pacific IslandersPacific Islanders
• HispanicsHispanics
13. Beginning FarmerBeginning Farmer
Has Not Operated aHas Not Operated a
Farm for 10Farm for 10
Consecutive Years.Consecutive Years.
Applies to all Members of aApplies to all Members of a
Business or PartnershipBusiness or Partnership
14. Limited Resource FarmerLimited Resource Farmer
• Direct or Indirect Farm Sales < $155,200Direct or Indirect Farm Sales < $155,200
for the Previous Two Yearsfor the Previous Two Years
• Total Household Income at or BelowtheTotal Household Income at or Belowthe
National Poverty Level for a Family of FourNational Poverty Level for a Family of Four
or Less Than 50 Percent of County Medianor Less Than 50 Percent of County Median
Household Income for the Previous TwoHousehold Income for the Previous Two
YearsYears
15. EligibilityEligibility
• Individual, Business or Joint OperationIndividual, Business or Joint Operation
• Active Agricultural, Livestock orActive Agricultural, Livestock or
Forestry OperationForestry Operation
• Minimum of $1,000 of AgriculturalMinimum of $1,000 of Agricultural
Products Produced or on Farm InventoryProducts Produced or on Farm Inventory
• Register with Farm Service AgencyRegister with Farm Service Agency
• Adjusted Gross Income of $1 MillionAdjusted Gross Income of $1 Million
or Lessor Less
• Farm and Tract NumberFarm and Tract Number
• Conservation ComplianceConservation Compliance
16. Where to Go for HelpWhere to Go for Help
Contact Your Local NRCS FieldContact Your Local NRCS Field
Office to Learn More About:Office to Learn More About:
• Conservation PlansConservation Plans
• Available ProgramsAvailable Programs
• What Works for You andWhat Works for You and
Your FarmYour Farm
17. USDA NRCS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
EMPLOYER AND PROVIDER
Editor's Notes
Small farms are important to the American way of life.
Farmers provide abundant and affordable food supply and are stewards of the land, protecting our water, soil and air for future generations.
Like any business, you must overcome many obstacles to remain profitable and successful.
NRCS is not an enforcement or regulatory agency. You request our help.
We will come to your farm and work with you to develop a conservation plan for your land. NRCS assesses the problem and offers alternatives. We document your decisions in a conservation plan.
The plan is a record of where you want to go. It can help you achieve your goals and obtain financial assistance.
What’s in your plan? Valuable information.
It includes a land use map, soils information, a schedule or timeline of what is to be done, and other supporting information such as fact sheets and designs.
All of this is free! All people who use land may receive technical help from NRCS at no charge.
NRCS provides free designs, layout, construction inspections and guidance on management, operation, and maintenance of conservation practices called for in your plan.
We have many programs available to help with the cost for installing conservation practices. NRCS can also direct you to other sources of financial help such as state cost-sharing, tax credit programs or low interest loans.
New and beginning farmers, those who have limited resources, and members of minority or ethnic groups may qualify for up to 90 percent cost share and have an option to accept 30 percent up front toward purchasing materials and paying a contractor..
Our local Conservationists or Technicians will help you sort through the Farm Bill programs to find the ones most beneficial for you and your own situation.
EQIP is one of our largest programs and offers you many options.
Sign-up is continuous with the first ranking period ending on January 14, 2011.
As you can see, EQIP covers a variety of resource concerns and can fund a number of practices to address these issues.
EQIP also offers several special initiatives and pilot programs including the extremely popular seasonal high tunnels, which will be offered again this year.
In addition to those listed above, EQIP also offers an Orchard Pest Management Pilot and Wildlife Bonus practices.
EQIP funds are also available to farmers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Focused on minimizing nutrients and sediments to restore, preserve, and protect the Chesapeake Bay.
WHIP focuses on wildlife and fish habitats of national, regional or state significance that either have experienced or are experiencing declines.
Agreements generally last from 2 to 10 years.
To participate in WHIP, you must own or have control of the land you want to enroll for the length of the agreement.
Practices similar to EQIP but more limited to target farmers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Focused on minimizing nutrients and sediments to restore, preserve, and protect the Chesapeake Bay.
I mentioned that you can qualify for additional assistance if you fall into certain ethnic or economic groups. You may be wondering whether any of these categories applies to you.
Before I close, I’d like to share some definitions so that you can be better informed about opportunities available to you.
Practices similar to EQIP but more limited to target farmers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Focused on minimizing nutrients and sediments to restore, preserve, and protect the Chesapeake Bay.
Practices similar to EQIP but more limited to target farmers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Focused on minimizing nutrients and sediments to restore, preserve, and protect the Chesapeake Bay.
Practices similar to EQIP but more limited to target farmers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Focused on minimizing nutrients and sediments to restore, preserve, and protect the Chesapeake Bay.
Practices similar to EQIP but more limited to target farmers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Focused on minimizing nutrients and sediments to restore, preserve, and protect the Chesapeake Bay.
