East Pottawattamie County Soil and Water Conservation District

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality. This program is available to farmers, and offers financial and technical assistance to install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land. Practices approved for funding include nutrient and pest management, terraces, grade stabilization structures, waterways, and hay land plantings. Applications are ranked on resource concerns. EQIP applications will be taken all year, however funds are only allocated once a year. Check with the SWCD for the yearly cut off date for applications. Approved projects will complete a conservation plan and agree to complete practices and documentation required.

Anyone wanting to apply for the next round of funding may apply at the NRCS office at the USDA Service Center in Oakland, Iowa.

For the 2008 East Pottawattamie EQIP Practice List

For the Iowa EQIP Webpage

For the National NRCS EQIP Webpage

To see EQIP Fact Sheet

To see EQIP Key Points

To see EQIP Questions and Answers

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CONTINUOUS CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM (CRP)

The Continuous CRP is administered by the local Farm Service Agency. It provides a voluntary program to agricultural producers to help them safeguard environmentally sensitive land. Producers enrolled in CRP plant long-term, resource-conserving covers to improve the quality of water, control soil erosion, and enhance wildlife habitat. In return, participants are provided with rental payments and cost-share assistance. Contract duration is between 10 and 15 years.

Financial incentives include:
- up to 50% cost share of establishment
- 40% incentive payment
- up-front incentive payment of $10 per acre per contract year
- yearly rental rates based on soil type
Contact the local FSA or NRCS office for further information on contract lengths and cost sharing limits.

Eligible Practices are Riparian Buffer Strips, Filter Strips, Grassed Waterways, Shelterbelt and Field Windbreaks, Living Snow Fences, Contour Grass Strips, and Shallow Water Areas for Wildlife.

See More on the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

Also see the CRP Continuous Sign-up Fact Sheet

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STATE COST SHARE PROGRAM

The Iowa Financial Incentive Program is administered by the local Soil and Water Conservation District with policy and administrative assistance of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Division of Soil Conservation (IDALS, DSC).

All Fall construction requests must be submitted to the East Pottawattamie SWCD office or on FARMS by October 15^th. Construction requests for Spring ’09 must be submitted by October 15^th 2008.

Cost Share is 50% of the District Eligible Cost ($1.50/ft). If your contractor charges exceed the District Eligible Cost, you will receive 50% of the District Eligible Cost, not the higher amount. If the contractor charges less than the District Eligible Cost, you will receive 50% of the lesser amount. Contact the East Pott County Soil and Water Conservation District for their cost sharing policies and priorities.

Eligible Permanent Practices are: Terraces, Water and Sediment Control Basin (see Terraces), Underground Outlet (tile & intakes), Grade Stabilization Structure, Grassed Waterway, Pasture and Hayland Planting.

Eligible Temporary and Tillage Practices are: No-Till, Contouring, Contour Strip-Cropping

See More on State Cost-Share

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No Interest Loans

Similar in form to the Cost Share Program, it offers an alternative financial incentive to landowners who either do not have the financial resources to provide their share of the required 50:50 cost share, or those who would prefer to extend their payments over a ten year period without the benefit of cost share.

Fund allocations are made to soil and water conservation districts, commissioners set priorities for their use, and field office staff assures the technical quality of practices built. These practices are also subject to maintenance agreements. Unlike the cost share program, management practices are not authorized.

Apply at your Local Soil Conservation District.

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Low-Interest Loans

Similar to the No Interest Loans, this allows you to extend your payments over a ten year period. Up to 100% of the actual costs can be funded and the Interest rate will be no higher than a 3% - fixed rate.

Low-Interest Loans are set up through the Local Water Protection Program to address water quality concerns due to agricultural operations. Some of the available practices are: Terraces, Structures, Water & Sediment Control Basins, Waste Storage Structures (lagoons), manure management structures & equipment, Pasture & Hayland Planting, Grassed Waterways, Filter Strips, Field Borders, Windbreaks, and Riparian Forest Buffers.

Applications are accepted year-round at your local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) office. Field office staff will assist in the design of the practice and will provide an estimated cost.

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WETLAND RESERVE PROGRAM (WRP)

This program provides technical and financial assistance to willing owners of eligible lands to restore, create, or enhance wetlands through conservation easements and restoration cost-share agreements to improve migratory birds and wildlife habitat, improve water quality, and aid in flood control and ground water recharge.

There are 10 year restoration contracts, 30 year conservation easements and permanent easements; up to 100% of restoration costs are reimbursable. CRP wetlands can be rolled into a WRP easement; you do not have to wait for your CRP contract to expire. Landowners retain ownership, use of land (appropriate), and control of access - no public access is required.

Applications are taken year round at your local Soil and Water Conservation District.

To See WRP Fact Sheet

To See WRP Questions and Answers

To See WRP Key Points

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Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)

The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program for people who want to develop and improve wildlife habitat primarily on private land. Through WHIP USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service provides both technical assistance and up to 75 percent cost-share assistance to establish and improve fish and wildlife habitat.

Almost any type of land is eligible, including agricultural and non-agricultural land, woodlots, pastures, and streambanks. Eligible practices are: seeding, tree and shrub plantings, fencing, instream structures, and prairie restoration. WHIP agreements between NRCS and the participant generally last from 5 to 10 years from the date the agreement is signed.

Applications are taken year round at your local Soil and Water Conservation District.

To See WHIP Fact Sheet

To See WHIP Questions and Answers

To See WHIP Key Points

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Conservation Security Program (CSP)

Applications are taken year round at your local and Water Soil Conservation District.

To See CSP Fact Sheet

To See CSP Questions and Answers

To See CSP Key Points

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