Putting New 2008 Farm Bill Programs to Work for Producers

Putting New Farm Bill Programs to Work for Producers Bridget Holcomb Associate Policy Director Michael Fields Agricultural Institute

Outline
Conservation Stewardship Program
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
Value Added Producer Grants
Other resources

Conservation Stewardship Program “ You’re saving your soil, you’re costs are cheaper, and you’re going to make more money in the end. You’re a fool not to be in this program.” Bob Bernier

For farmers and private forest land owners
Rewarded for existing conservation practices and new practices
5 year contract with NRCS
Payments
cropland or pastureland: $10 to $40 per acre
forest land: $2 to $24 per acre
capped at $40,000 per year
Long application!

Previous On-Farm Conservation Practices:
Same-day incorporation of applied manure and compost
Cover crops
Shrub rows for beneficial insect habitat
Waste oil recycling
Conservation Improvements through CSP:
Pasture diversity
Habitat for beneficial insects and wildlife
“ We try to continually take on little conservation projects, and CSP gives us that extra push to get us going.” Richard de Wilde

Conservation Stewardship Program Photo by Agri-View “ It’s about protecting the environment for the next generation. My dad did that for me, and I want to do that for my kids. Establishing good conservation is the right thing to do.” Randy Schmidt
Previous On-Farm Conservation Practices:
Minimum-till and no-till
Minimum residue application
Gypsum soil amendment to reduce runoff
Conservation Improvements through CSP:
Crop tissue sampling for nitrogen
Variable rate technology for planting and nutrient management

Resources:
http://www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp/cstp.html
Local NRCS office

EQIP Organic Initiative
EQIP now has an organic provision
Both existing organic farmers and those transitioning to organic
Cost share for organic conservation practices
75% cost share
90% for socially disadvantaged farmers and beginning farmers
$20,000/yr cap, total cap of $80,000 over six years
For more information:
Pat Murphy, 608-662-4422 x 258 pat.murphy@wi.usda.gov
Matt Otto 608-662-4422 x245 matt.otto@wi.usda.gov

For more information:
www.sare.org
Diane Mayerfeld, 608.262.8188 [email_address]

Value Added Producer Grants Sassy Cow Creamery: working capital for a small, start-up organic and conventional milk processor and bottler project

Value Added Producer Grants Deirdre Birmingham : feasibility study leading to the development of the business, operations, and marketing plans necessary to successfully produce and market hard apple cider in the Southern Wisconsin region.

Value Added Producer Grants Agrecol: working capital to add value to native seeds by processing them into branded mixtures.

Value Added Producer Grants
What is a value added product?
Changed in physical state
Organic crops
Grass-fed livestock
Locally produced and marketed foods
Mid-tier value chains
Up to $100,000 for business plans and feasibility studies
Up to $300,000 for working capital
Long application!

…and one Wisconsin Program
Buy Local Buy Wisconsin Program
Grants up to $50,000 to connect Wisconsin producers with Wisconsin consumers
Wisconsin Local Food Marketing Guide: a step by step guide for local food producers interested in entering local food markets
datcp.state.wi.us/mktg/business/marketing/val-add/directmktg/blbw.jsp ; [email_address] or call Teresa Engel at 608-224-5101

Resources
Agricultural Innovation Center
fyi.uwex.edu/aic /
Building Sustainable Places guide attra.ncat.org /guide/
Grassroots Guide to the Farm Bill http:// sustainableagriculture.net/publications/grassrootsguide /

Bridget Holcomb
Associate Policy Director
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
608-256-1859
[email_address]

Putting New 2008 Farm Bill Programs to Work for Producers

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