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Agricultural Assistance

Ryan Smith, District Technician
ryan-smith@oh.nacdnet.org

The following programs are available through the NRCS.  To receive additional information on the following programs contact Ryan Smith or John Williams at 513-887-3720.

Click on the Program that you are interested in to be taken to more information:

CRP- Conservation Reserve Program
CSP- Conservation Security Program
EQIP- Environmental Quality Incentives Program
FPP- Farmland Protection Program
GRP- Grassland Reserve Program
WHIP- Wildlife Habitats Incentives Program
WRP- Wetland Reserve Program
No Till Drill
Ohio Hazard Mitigation Grant (Dry Hydrants)
Links to State and Federal Agencies

CRP-Waterway Application Process

A fact sheet has been created on the CRP- waterway application process.

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Conservation Security Program (CSP)

The Conservation Security Program (CSP) is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance for the conservation protection and improvement of soil, water, air, energy, plant and animal life, and other conservation purposes on Tribal and private lands.  The program provides payments for producers who practice good stewardship on their agriculture lands and incentives for those who want to do more.  CSP assistance was authorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) and the program will be available in fiscal year 2003.  The NRCS manages the program.

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Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible National goals.  Through EQIP, farmers and ranchers may receive financial and technical help to install or implement structural and management conservation practices on eligible agricultural land.

EQIP was reauthorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill).  The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) administers EQIP. Funding for EQIP comes from the Commodity Credit Corporation.

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Farm Land Protection Program (FPP)

The Farmland Protection Program (FPP) was reauthorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.  The purpose of FPP are to protect prime, unique, or statewide and locally important soils and historical and archaeological resources on farmland from conversion to nonagricultural uses.  FPP does this by providing funds to state and local farmland protection programs to reimburse their costs in acquiring conservation easements.  Additional considerations are given to lands that sustain rural economic stability; maintain and enhance ecosystems; and protect scenic beauty.  U.S. Department of Agriculture’s USDA-NRCS manages the program.

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Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)

The Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance grasslands on their property.  Section 2401 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 amended the Food Security Act of 1985 to authorize this program.  The NRCS, FSA and Forest Service are coordinating implementation of GRP, which helps landowners restore and protect grassland, rangeland, pastureland, shrubland and certain other lands and provides assistance for rehabilitating grasslands.  The program will conserve vulnerable grasslands from conversion to cropland or other uses and conserve valuable grasslands by helping maintain viable ranching operations.

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WHIP Application Process

A fact sheet has been created on the WHIP application process.

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Wetland Reserve Program (WRP)

The Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) is a voluntary program that provides technical and financial assistance to eligible landowners to address wetland, wildlife habitat, soil, water, and related natural resource concerns on private lands in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner.  The program provides an opportunity for landowners to receive financial incentives to enhance wetlands in exchange for retiring marginal land from agriculture.  WRP is reauthorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill).  The NRCS administers the program.  Funding for WRP comes from the Commodity Credit Corporation.

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NO-TILL DRILL

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Ohio Hazard Mitigation Grant

The Miami Valley Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council is one of nine organizations that are working together with firefighters, Townships, EMA. And homeowners to help improve rural fire safety in Ohio.   The program offers $500 grants to homeowners to install Dry Hydrants in existing ponds or lakes where sources of water do not currently exist to protect life and property.   The programs works to secure donated machinery and labor, effectively covering the cost of installation.

Improved Fire Safety

Dry Hydrants offer reliable sources of water in areas where pressurized hydrants do not exist.  Most homeowners assume that if they have a fire, the Fire Department has all the water it needs.  The fact is, many times the department must travel long distances each time to refill their tanker truck.  A series of well located dry hydrants can fill the voids that exist and offer much improved protection for homeowners and their property.

How does the program work

The RC&D, SWCD, Fire Departments, EMA and elected officials all work together to:

1.     Identify areas of the county that have inadequate supplies of water to fight fires

2.     Identify potential water bodies such as ponds or lakes that could support the installation of a dry hydrant for fire protection

3.     Work with the SWCD and NRCS to survey and design the pond site for installation

4.     Ensure that the hydrant is designed to provide and adequate volume of water to effectively fight a fire

5.     Secure agreements with the landowners that ensure that the fire departments has the right to inspect, maintain, and use the hydrant for fighting a fire in the immediate area

6.     The RC&D provides up to $1000 per site to offset material costs of hydrant and needed pipe

7.     Work with the Township or County to provide a backhoe and operator to install the hydrant, overseen by the SWCD

8.     provide local officials with GIS locations of hydrants for use in their 911 emergency systems.

Ohio Hazard Mitigation Grant Flyer
Click on image to enlarge it.

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Photos:  click on an image to enlarge it

Newly constructed animal waste facility on the Woodruff farm in Oxford Township

Newly constructed rock pad and tile on Robert Rye's property

Newly constructed waterway on Robert Rye's property in Morgan Township
 

Norb Lerch and Ryan Smith giving results of the Soils Judging contest to students from Talawanda, Ross and Edgewood High Schools.

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