Land Owners, Sign-up Now for Farm Bill Conservation Programs

If you are a landowner and are interested in protecting or preserving the natural resources on your property through technical or financial assistance, or a conservation easement, now is the time to contact your local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office to begin the conservation planning process.

“NRCS' natural resources conservation programs help farmers and forest landowners promote environmental quality on farmland and forest land, address water quality and quantity challenges, and protect valuable wetland ecosystems, agricultural lands, and wildlife habitat,” said George Cleek, State Conservationist for New Hampshire. “The 2008 Farm Bill also provides targeted assistance to underserved, limited resource, beginner and minority farmers who would like to protect and preserve their land.”

Sign-up is underway for conservation programs under the 2008 Farm Bill. Applications for Farm Bill programs may be submitted at any time, and the first round of 2009 ranking and funding for programs in New Hampshire will begin on the following dates.

April 17, 2009 Apply on or before this date to be considered for funding in 2009 for the following program:

• Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) – This easement program provides NRCS funding to purchase conservation easements and complete wetland restorations, offering the opportunity for landowners to voluntarily protect, restore and enhance wetlands on their property. 

May 1, 2009 Apply on or before this date to be considered for funding in 2009 for the following programs:

• Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) – This financial assistance program provides assistance to landowners who want to improve fish and wildlife habitat or restore natural ecosystems on their land. 
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) – This financial assistance program helps farmers and forest landowners address water quality, water conservation, invasive species control, soil quality, erosion control, nutrient and pest management, residue management, irrigation efficiency, energy conservation, air quality and other natural resource concerns.
• Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) – This financial assistance program helps farmers adopt conservation practices and investment strategies that will reduce or mitigate risks to their agricultural enterprises.

 May 15, 2009 Apply on or before this date to be considered for funding in 2009 for the following program:

• Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) – This easement program helps land conservation-focused partners assist farmers in keeping their land in agriculture. The program provides matching funds to our partners to purchase conservation easements.

May 29, 2009 Apply on or before this date to be considered for funding in 2009 for the following program:

• Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) – This grant enables public and private entities to accelerate technology transfer and adoption of promising technologies and approaches to address some of the Nation’s most pressing natural resources concerns.

June 1, 2009 Apply on or before this date to be considered for funding in 2009 for the following program: 

• Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) – This easement program provides NRCS funding to purchase conservation easements, offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance grasslands on their property.

Your local conservation district and NRCS field office will be holding an informational meeting for the public in mid to late April 2009.  For more information, click here to find your local NRCS office.

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