| |
CONSERVATION PROGRAMS
EQIP
CSP
KEY
ISSUES
CAP
WHITE PAPER
LOSING GROUND:
Specialty
Farmers and
Special
Conservation
Programs
EXAMPLES:
APPALACHIAN
REGION
CALIFORNIA
GEORGIA
MICHIGAN
NORTH
CAROLINA
OREGON |
|
|
Putting The Farm Bill To Work
> Conservation Programs
|
|
All of these programs
are administered by The
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
NRCS is the agency in the U. S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) that administers the conservation programs. Founded
in 1935 as the Soil Conservation Service it became NRCS in
1994. NRCS has offices in all 50 states and local offices
located in the county USDA Service Center. Each state has
a Technical Committee, convened by the State Conservationist,
to solicit recommendations. On a wide range of issues associated
with the conservation programs. The Technical Committee meetings
are open to the public and membership is available to growers
and grower groups.
CLICK
HERE for more information on NRCS. |
|
The
Conservation Security Program (CSP)
is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance
for the conservation, protection, and improvement of soil, water,
and related resources on private lands. The program differs from
EQIP in that it establishes three levels of participation with corresponding
increases in the extent of the practices used and amount of payments.
Contracts under CSP can be up to ten years. Each year watersheds
are selected by NRCS in which growers are eligible to sign up for
participation in CSP. This program is becoming increasingly important
due to the long term impact it can offer. For further information
see http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp/
The
Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) provides cost
share assistance to agricultural producers to voluntarily address
issues such as water management, water quality, and erosion control
by incorporating conservation into their farming operations. Authorized
by the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000, AMA is available
in 15 states where participation ithe Federal Crop Insurance Program
is historically low: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. For further information
see: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ama/
The
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a voluntary
program that encourages creation of high quality wildlife habitats
that support wildlife populations of National, State, Tribal, and
local significance. Through WHIP, the Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial assistance to landowners
and others to develop upland, wetland, riparian, and aquatic habitat
areas on their property. For further information see: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/whip/index.html
The
Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) is a voluntary program
that provides technical and financial assistance to eligible landowners
to restore, enhance, and protect wetlands. Landowners have the option
of enrolling eligible lands through permanent easements, 30-year
easements, or restoration cost-share agreements. The program is
offered on a continuous sign-up basis and is available Nationwide.
This program offers landowners an opportunity to establish, at minimal
cost, long-term conservation and wildlife habitat enhancement practices
and protection. For further information see: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/wrp/
The
Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) is a
voluntary program that helps farmers and ranchers keep their land
in agriculture and prevents conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural
uses. The program provides matching funds to State, Tribal, and
local governments and nongovernmental organizations with existing
farmland protection programs to purchase conservation easements.
For further information see: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/frpp/
The
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) provides assistance
to farmers and ranchers in complying with Federal, State, and tribal
environmental laws, and encourages environmental enhancement. CRP
is administered by the Farm Service Agency, with NRCS providing
technical assistance and conservation planning. For further information
see: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/crp/
TOP
OF PAGE
|