Cost Share Programs

       The United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service  (NRCS), provides leadership to our District and administers programs to help people reduce soil erosion, protect the Nation's ability to produce food and fiber, reduce sedimentation in streams and lakes, improve water quality, establish wildlife habitat, and enhance forest and wetland resources.

NRCS also helps the District with technical assistance in design, planning, and installation of conservation practices, so that land users can address issues affecting soil, water, air, plants, and animal resources on private lands, thus providing for community improvement. 

The land user selects a combination of conservation practices that, when applied to the land, will protect the environment, enhance the resource base, and ultimately benefit the land user.  Disbursements for cost shared conservation programs are made through the Farm Services Agency (FSA).

The following is a brief list of some cost-shared conservation programs offered by NRCS.  For a more complete list with detailed information go to the NRCS web site page on conservation programs  in the Farm Bill.

  • Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
     - targeted to livestock related natural resource problems.

  • Wetland Reserve Program (WRP)
    - promotes restoring, creating or enhancing wetlands through conservation
      easements that improve migratory bird and wildlife habitat, improve water
      quality, and aid in flood control and ground water recharge.

  • Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
    - encourages farmers to convert highly erodible cropland or other
      environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover, such as native or   
      domesticated grasses, wildlife plantings, trees, filter strips, or riparian 
      buffers.  Farmers receive an annual rental payment for the term of the  
      multi-year contract.  

  • Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP)
    - aimed at providing habitat for fish and wildlife on private lands.

  • Farmland Protection Program (FPP)
    - provides funds to help purchase development rights in order to keep  
      productive farmland in use. Works through existing local governments to    
      acquire conservation easements.

  • Forestry Incentive Program (FIP)
    - helps landowners with applying sustainable forestry practices including tree
      plantings, timber stand improvement, site preparation for natural   
      regeneration, and other related activities.