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2008 Farm Bill: Conservation Programs and Practices for Your Farm

Farm Bill 2008: How it can help youFarm Bill Cover

The 2008 Farm Bill offers landowners incentives to help them voluntarily implement the conservation structures and management practices included in their operation’s conservation plan. It provides conservation provisions to help reduce erosion, guard streams and rivers, restore and establish fish and wildlife habitat, improve air quality and conserve energy. Government and non-government organizations stand ready to help producers use Farm Bill programs to make improvements to their farms — this guide introduces the assistance available to help you implement your conservation plan.

Financial and Economic Incentives

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers a variety of financial incentives to producers and landowners interested in conservation programs. Some programs offer annual payments for a conservation use, others offer one-time, up-front payments for long-term easements for conservation use, and most include government funds to share the costs of installing conservation measures.

Technical Help

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) helps producers plan and implement conservation practices on private lands. Technical assistance is provided on a voluntary basis. The Farm Bill continues to provide funding for Technical Service Providers (certified private vendors) who may also provide conservation technical assistance. Local USDA offices can provide more information.

Partnership Assistance

USDA works with many partners to deliver conservation services and programs. Local soil and water conservation districts, Extension offices, Resource Conservation & Development councils, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship-Division of Soil Conservation, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and many other private conservation organizations each play an important role. Experts in each organization can provide technical help and may offer educational and financial assistance in addition to what USDA agencies provide through the Farm Bill.

For More Information

Contact your USDA Service Center, SWCD, or Extension office for assistance, or find more information at www.usda.gov/farmbill.

Conserving Croplands, Improving Water Quality, Managing for Wildlife

Reducing water erosionStripcropping in northeast Iowa

To reduce soil movement and nutrient runoff, consider these or similar practices:

  • Grassed waterways
  • Terraces
  • Riparian buffers
  • Field borders
  • Contour buffer strips
  • Residue management
  • Conservation cover

USDA programs which may provide financial assistance: CRP, EQIP

Reducing wind erosion

To mitigate the effects of wind on farmland, consider these or similar practices:

  • Residue management
  • Shelterbelts
  • Windbreaks
  • Living snow fences

USDA programs which may provide financial assistance: CRP, EQIP, WHIP

Improving soil quality

To improve soil quality or soil performance, which helps improve production, prevent erosion and protect water quality, consider these or similar practices:

  • No-Till
  • Strip-Till
  • Cover crops
  • Crop rotations
  • Pasture management
  • Conservation cover

USDA programs which may provide financial assistance: CRP, EQIP

Stabilizing streams

To reduce runoff and stabilize areas adjacent to streams, consider these or similar practices:

  • Forested riparian buffers
  • Filter strips
  • Livestock exclusion
  • Streambank protection
  • Watering facilities

USDA programs which may provide financial assistance: CRP, EQIP, WHIP

Managing manureManure Storage Structure

To prevent nutrient loss and protect air, soil and water resources, consider these or similar practices:

  • Waste storage structures
  • Comprehensive nutrient management plans
  • Manure management plans
  • Compost facilities

USDA programs which may provide financial assistance: EQIP

Restoring wetlands

To help protect water quality, reduce flooding and provide wildlife habitat, consider these or similar practices:

  • Wetland restoration
  • Shallow area for wildlife
  • Farmable wetlands

USDA programs which may provide financial assistance: WRP, CREP, CRP, WHIP

Establishing habitat

To enhance, restore and manage fish and wildlife populations on your land, consider these or similar practices:

  • Rotational grazing
  • Wetland restoration
  • Grassland management
  • Conservation buffers
  • Stream habitat improvement

USDA programs which may provide financial assistance: WRP, CREP, CRP, WHIP, EQIP

Managing Forestlands

To restore and protect forest resources and improve fish and wildlife habitat, consider these or similar practices:

  • Tree planting
  • Forest stand improvement
  • Prescribed burning

USDA programs which may provide financial assistance: CRP, WHIP, EQIP

All Programs are subject to final USDA regulations.
     

What USDA Offers

    
Program What land is eligible? Length of Agreement Rental Payments Easements Financial Assistance/
Cost Share		 Producer Obligations What's New for 2008?
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) *See Program Note Land that has been planted to crops for 4 of the 6 years before 2008. Alfalfa grown in an approved rotation practice is considered an eligible crop. 10-15 years Annual Payment based on contract details   Up to 50% Develop and follow a plan for converting cropland to grass and/or trees. Also, assist with the cost, establishment and maintenance of conservation practices.
  • Allows routine grazing.
  • Provides cost-share for tree thinning.
Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) Most private wetlands converted to agricultural use prior to 1985; Non-riverine flood cropland/grassland may also be eligible. Wetland must be restorable and suitable for wildlife benefits. 10 or 30 years; permanent   One-time, up-front payment or up to 30 annual installment payments. Up to 100% Develop and follow a plan for the restoration and maintenance of the wetland. If necessary, assist with the cost of restoration.
  • Prohibits enrollment if ownership has changed during previous seven years with certain exceptions.
  • Only privately-owned or land owned by an Indian tribe is eligible.
Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) Private grassland, shrub land and land containing forbs or land that historically contained those features. 10 or 20 years; permanent Annual payment based on contract details One-time, up-front payment Up to 50% Develop and comply with a plan for the easement or restoration agreement; assist with the remaining installation costs.
  • Limits rental payments and cost share to $50,000 per year.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) All private land in ag production, including cropland, grassland, pastureland and non-industrial private forestland. 1 to 10 years     50 to 75% Develop and follow a conservation plan; confined livestock operations must also prepare a comprehensive nutrient plan.
  • Organic farming conservation practices now eligible for cost share.
Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) Private ag land, non-industrial forestland and tribal land, unless currently enrolled in CRP, WRP or similar program. 5 to 15 years     Up to 75% Prepare and follow a wildlife habitat development plan; assist with installation costs.
  • Contracts limited to $30,000 in Iowa
Healthy Forest Reserve Program (HFRP) Privately owned land, once restored to forest ecosystems will increase carbon sequestration, improve biological diversity or support the recovery of threatened or endangered species. 30 year easement; permanent     Up to 75% Prepare and follow a plan to restore and protect forest land resources and protect at-risk species.  
Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) Private land, including forest land and land serving as a buffer from development and is subject to a pending easement from an eligible entity. Permanent   One-time, up-front payment   Continue to use the land for ag purposes. Develop a conservation plan and comply with the terms of the easement.  
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) replaces Conservation Security Program Private ag land and non-industrial forest planted to crops 4 out of 6 years prior to 2008, except land enrolled in CRP, WRP or GRP. 5 years Annual payment based on contract details     Develop and follow a plan which addresses at least one priority resource concern by end of contract.
  • Continuous signup is open nationwide.
PROGRAM NOTES - Includes a general signup, continuous sign-up, the Continuous Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and the Farmable Wetlands Program (FWP). Incentive payments are available for certain practices. A maintenance fee of up to $7 per acre is also included. To qualify for FWP, land must have a cropping history for three years of the preceding 10 cropping years; must be cropped wetlands, farmed wetlands or prior converted cropland, 40 acres or less; commercial pond-raised aquaculture in any year between 2002-2007; or to be used to remove nitrogen from crop field runoff. 1 2008 Farm Bill provisions are not in effect until Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) approval. For CRP, eligible land must have been cropped 4 out of 6 years between 1999 & 2001 until the EIS is approved.

Extra help for some farmer groups        

The 2008 Farm Bill sets aside 5 percent of Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funds to assist beginning farmers and another 5 percent to assist socially disadvantaged farmers.

It also sets aside 5 percent of the available Conservation Stewardship Program acres to assist beginning farmers and another 5 percent to help socially disadvantaged farmers.

Farmers from these groups may be eligible to receive up to 75 percent of the costs associated with planning and implementing conservation practices. In addition, up to 30 percent of these payments may be provided in advance for purchasing materials or contracting.

The 2008 Farm Bill defines a socially disadvantaged farmer as “a member of a socially disadvantaged group whose members have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as members of the group with regard to their individual qualities”. This is a change from the definition previously used by USDA.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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