Lancaster Eagle Gazette -By Vicki Kohli  • Conservation corner • January 22, 2010

Federal monies are available to agricultural producers to implement conservation practices on their farms through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

To be considered for the first round of funding, farmers must apply at the Fairfield County Natural Resources Conservation Service office by Feb. 16.

EQIP is a program that offers technical and financial assistance to install conservation practices. This voluntary program aims at conserving, protecting and restoring soil and water quality, air quality and habitats for plants and animals. A variety of practices, such as rotational grazing and precision nutrient management, are used to achieve the producer's natural resources management goals.

An environmental ranking score will be developed for each applicant from a conservation plan that considers national, state and local natural resource concerns. Forest invasive species control and air quality issues are options in Fairfield County.

WETLANDS
NRCS has money available to restore wetlands through the Wetlands Reserve Program. Applications are accepted year-round with the first funding decisions to be made by Feb. 16.

The WRP has been around since the mid-1990s. During the past 15 years, it has become a popular, cost-effective and ecologically successful voluntary program. The WRP is a great opportunity for landowners -- particularly farmers -- who might have land that is poorly drained and difficult to cultivate, those who are looking to cut back on farming near retirement but don't want to sell the land, or land owners interested in establishing some prime wildlife habitat.

To be eligible for WRP, land that originally was wetland but was drained for cropping is eligible, including land that is forested. Cropland and noncropland areas may be enrolled in the program as long as the drainage -- usually ditches or tile drainage systems -- are removed. Applicants can request a permanent easement, a 30-year easement or a 10-year contract, which offers cost-sharing for restoration work. The landowner maintains ownership, access and responsibility for taxes. Public access is not required on WRP land.

FARMLANDS
The Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program, administered by NRCS, is accepting applications, too. Organizations with an eligible farmland preservation program can apply for FRPP, which provides as much as half of the appraised fair market value of the farm's preservation easement. While FRPP offers a continuous sign-up, eligible entities must submit applications by March 1 to receive consideration for funding in fiscal year 2010.

A new decade is here, and it promises to focus even more on natural resources and the interrelationship between soil, air, water, animals, plants and, most critically, people. By implementing practices to protect and restore natural resources now, landowners will be in a position to take advantage of new opportunities that might evolve.

Call the NRCS office at (740) 653-8154 for more information or set up an appointment.