MADISON - Farmers can apply by Thursday, Nov. 21 for the Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program for 2014. The incentives program is the primary source of financial assistance (cost-sharing) for conservation practices on working lands, including those needing county, state or federal permits.
Jason Thomas, with the United States Dept. of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service in Monroe, is urging farmers to plan ahead and have their permits in hand if they want to be considered high priority for conservation practice funding in 2014.
Thomas says this change has become a necessity.
Between 2009 and 2013, NRCS in Wisconsin has nearly doubled the funds it receives to help farmers pay for conservation work, to $31 million this year. In Green County, more than $649,000 was contracted last year.
A number of conservation practices require county, state or federal permits. Obtaining the proper permits is the landowner's responsibility, and may sometimes be a lengthy process. NRCS will continue to provide technical assistance to landowners to help them fulfill their permitting responsibilities as time and staff resources will allow. Permits are commonly required for manure storage structures, erosion control structures, stream bank and wetland restorations, and some other practices.
Green County ranking policy will be set at the Local Work Group meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 at the USDA Service Center. Representatives from local agricultural organizations and local, state, and federal agencies are on the work group. The public is welcome to attend.
Thomas recommends farmers come in early and get started planning potential projects. NRCS can help provide information on which permits are needed for particular practices. Technical assistance is available from NRCS, county, state agencies, some non-profit groups, and private consultants to do the design work needed in order to get some state or local permits.
For more information, contact the Green County Natural Resources Conservation Service office, 1627 4th Ave. West, at 608-325-4195 ext. 101.
Jason Thomas, with the United States Dept. of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service in Monroe, is urging farmers to plan ahead and have their permits in hand if they want to be considered high priority for conservation practice funding in 2014.
Thomas says this change has become a necessity.
Between 2009 and 2013, NRCS in Wisconsin has nearly doubled the funds it receives to help farmers pay for conservation work, to $31 million this year. In Green County, more than $649,000 was contracted last year.
A number of conservation practices require county, state or federal permits. Obtaining the proper permits is the landowner's responsibility, and may sometimes be a lengthy process. NRCS will continue to provide technical assistance to landowners to help them fulfill their permitting responsibilities as time and staff resources will allow. Permits are commonly required for manure storage structures, erosion control structures, stream bank and wetland restorations, and some other practices.
Green County ranking policy will be set at the Local Work Group meeting at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 at the USDA Service Center. Representatives from local agricultural organizations and local, state, and federal agencies are on the work group. The public is welcome to attend.
Thomas recommends farmers come in early and get started planning potential projects. NRCS can help provide information on which permits are needed for particular practices. Technical assistance is available from NRCS, county, state agencies, some non-profit groups, and private consultants to do the design work needed in order to get some state or local permits.
For more information, contact the Green County Natural Resources Conservation Service office, 1627 4th Ave. West, at 608-325-4195 ext. 101.