Conservation Programs
Extensive Erosion
This Howard County picture (click to enlarge) represents the problem extensive erosion can cause. Soil is naturally removed by the action of water or wind. The problem comes into play when the soil is lost at a faster rate than it is formed.
Agricultural practices may leave the land uprotected and vulnerable. During times of erosive rainfall or windstorms, soil may be detached, transported, and deposited (possibly travelling a long distance). This has impacts which are both on-site (at the place where the soil is detached) and off-site (wherever the eroded soils ends up). Examples of off-site impacts include the filling of streams and ditches, reducing the quality and quantity of wildlife habitat.
The conservation programs we offer help to repair and prevent this damage to our environment. In this instance we would suggest a grassed waterway (a Continuous CRP practice) be implemented. Waterways convey runoff from terraces, diversions, or other water concentrations. The grass in the waterway protects the soil from erosion caused by concentrated flows, while carryng water downslope. It traps sediment and increases filtration so that other pollutants, such as pesticides and nutrients, can be reduced from surface runoff. The grassed waterway also offers diversity and cover for wildlife.
EQIP
EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentive Program) is a cost-share and incentive-based program to assist landowners in applying conservation practices to promote agricultural production and environmental quality.
Projects funded include animal waste storage facilities, terraces, wetland enhancement/creation, compost facilities and waterways. Some of the incentive based programs include nutrient management payments, strip till and/or no-till, cover crop, field borders, strip-cropping and buffer strips, and comprehensive nutrient management for livestock and prescribed grazing.
EQIP applications are prioritized using a National, State and locally developed ranking worksheet that will be new for 2007. Funded EQIP applications result in a contract which lists the practices to be applied along with an application schedule and federal funds committed.
Applications can be made at our office at any time. The cut-off date for ranking applications
has passed, but you can apply for next year!
CSP
CSP (Conservation Security Program) rewards producers at the highest level (Tier III), while motivating the lower tier participants (Tiers I & II) to increase conservation on the land they operate. CSP provides incentives for nutrient and pest management, wildlife habitat, improving soil organic matter and conserving energy.
The Upper Wapsipinicon and Turkey River Watersheds were selected in 2005 to participate in the program. Howard County is home to both watersheds with over two-thirds of the county being eligible to apply.
In August-September of 2006, the 2005 participants in the CSP program were allowed to make modifications to their contracts. Modifications included giving participants the ability to move up tier levels and add new land that at a minimum met the requirements of the CSP program.
Basic criteria were:
- Control soil erosion
- Have a positive soil condition index
- Maintain the correct amount of residue over winter
- Have the correct proportion of wildlife habitat per conservation treatment unit
If the new land met these requirements it was eligible to be enrolled. Out of the 140 contracts in Howard County 114 of them conducted some type of modification to their contract.
Congratulations to the program’s participants able to make modifications. Your good stewardship of the land has paid off!
State
Cost Share & REAP
There are State Cost Share funds available for conservation practices such as grassed waterways, terraces, structures, wetland restoration and no-till. Please apply at least 6 months ahead of when the practice is planned for construction.
REAP (Resource Enhancement and Protection) cost share, which covers practices such as farmstead windbreaks, forest stand improvement, tree planting and grass planting is also available. Click Howard County REAP Funding for a list of Howard County's REAP funding beginning with FY 1990 -courtesy of the Iowa DNR-REAP website.
There is a waiting list for both programs so please sign up in advance.
FARMS
is a web-based system
for managing various State cost share programs.
FARMS has been established to allow the public to access
the most up to date IDALS/DSC program information, to access
the local SWCD information or contact them for assistance
and to allow cooperators to apply for cost share assistance
or to review the cost share assistance information all from
the convenience of the home.
If you would like to apply for cost-share assistance and
establish your FARMS online account, please click the apply
for assistance tab under the main menu heading and it will
guide you through the simple process.
If you have already established your FARMS online
account, click the login tab and enter your user name and
password in order to view your account information or apply
for assistance under this account. This new innovative web-based system will allow you to:
- Follow your cost-share practice from sign up to
payment, all in front of your eyes via your FARMS online
Account.
- Review at anytime all the practices and
maintenance/performance agreements that are recorded in
your FARMS account.
Continuous CRP
The Conservation Reserve Program reduces soil erosion, protects the nation’s ability to produce food and fiber, reduces sedimentation in streams and lakes, improves water quality, establishes wildlife habitat, and enhances forest and wetland resources.
It encourages farmers to convert highly erodible cropland or other environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover, such as cool season or native grasses, wildlife plantings, or trees.
Farmers receive an annual rental payment, determined by averaging the rate for the top three soils found in the CRP area, for the term of the multi-year contract. Cost sharing is provided to establish the vegetative cover practices.
There are many practices available to implement on the land. Click Continuous CRP for more information and a detailed list of each practice.
WRP
WRP (Wetland Reserve Program) assisted in the restoration, enhancement or creation of wetlands on 6,377 acres in Iowa during FY2004. These restored wetlands provide important flood reduction as well as wildlife habitat and other environmental benefits. Over 126,000 acres of wetlands have been restored or are in the process of being restored under these programs in Iowa since 1992.
Purpose: To develop and implement a conservation plan for restoration of wetlands previously altered for agricultural use.
Practices: Wetland restoration and wildlife habitat establishment.
Eligibility: Land that has been owned for one year and that could be restored to wetland conditions.
Contract: Landowners may restore wetlands with permanent easements, 30-year easements or 10-year contracts. Permanent easements pay 100% of the agricultural value of the land and 100% cost-share for restoration; 30-year easements pay 75% of the agricultural value and 75% cost-share for restoration; 10-year contracts pay 75% cost-share of restoration only. Permanent or 30-year easements are recorded with property deeds. Ten-year contracts are not recorded with deeds.
Click for a 2005 map of Iowa's Wetland Easements and Acres (including Howard County). Courtesy of the Iowa NRCS website.
This WRP site in Worth County provides the landowner many hours of outdoor recreation including bird watching and hunting. -Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS
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