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Conservation opportunities continue in '08
WARM SPRINGS - The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District are continuing to provide planning, technical, and cost-share financial assistance to farmers and other agricultural landowners for a wide variety of resource related practices that will help improve soil, water, pastures, cropland, woodland and wildlife. The following are brief descriptions of the available programs and practices that may be helpful and applicable to your farm or woodland.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program is a federal program that provides financial assistance and planning for installing a wide variety of conservation practices related to forestry, cropland, ani- mal waste, grazing lands and wildlife. Eligible practices include control of invasive species on woodlands and pasture, forest stand improvement, crop rotation, fence, water trough, sinkhole protection, wildlife management and animal waste management.
Best Management Practices is a Virginia state program that promotes water quality improvement to help clean up the Chesapeake Bay watershed. A wide variety of cost-shared practices help reduce erosion, sedimentation and livestock pollution from agricultural lands and their waterways. Eligible practices include restoring highly erodible areas with tree planting or seeding, fence, water trough, stream bank stabilization and manure management.
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program is a federal program that provides financial assistance and planning (with consultation from Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries) for several wildlife habitat improvement practices such as quail habitat. Eligible practices include seeding warm season grasses and planting hedgerows.
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program is a federal program administered by FSA with planning and application assistance by NRCS and DOF. This program was to end Dec. 31 but has been extended to March 15. CREP promotes riparian forest buffers and livestock exclusion from waterways with generous cost-share rental, and incentive payments. Eligible practices include hardwood tree planting, fence and water trough.
If you are interested in any of the above program opportunities, or would like more detailed information or to schedule an on-site visit, contact the USDA Warm Springs Service Center at (540) 839-6642 or 1-800-254-3854 or roger.canfield@va.usda.gov.
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