Programs

Continuous signups throughout the year!

Some of the practices available are:

•Riparian Area Protection

•Vegetative Filter Strips

•Sinkhole Protection

•Cropland Erosion Control Systems

•Heavy Use Area Protection

•Rotational Grazing System Establishment

•Water Well Protection

•Animal Waste Utilization

•Forest Land Erosion Control System

•Stream Crossing

•Pasture and Hay land Forage Quality/Quantity & Erosion Control

•Streambank Stabilization

•Ag Waste Control Facilities

•Closure of Ag Waste Impoundment

•Soil Quality/Health Improvement

•On-Farm Fallen Animal Composting

You can find more information, including the handbook and all available practices at: https://eec.ky.gov/Natural-Resources/Conservation/Pages/State-Cost-Share.aspx

To be considered eligible for state cost share, you must have a current copy of your Ag Water Quality Plan on file at our office.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers.

Eligible land includes:

• Cropland and hay land
• Rangeland
• Pastureland
• Non-industrial private forestland
• Other farm or ranch lands
• Environmentally sensitive areas

Eligible applicants(s) include:

• Agricultural producers
• Owners of non-industrial private forestland
• Those with an interest in the agricultural or forestry operations
• Water management entities

Fact Sheet:

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/EQIP-fact-sheet.pdf

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. The program provides an opportunity for landowners to receive financial incentives to enhance wetlands in exchange for retiring marginal land from agriculture. Participants voluntarily limit use of the land but retain ownership.

To be eligible for WRP, land must restorable and be suitable for wildlife benefits. This includes:

• Wetlands farmed under natural conditions;
• Farmed wetlands;
• Prior converted cropland;
• Farmed wetland pasture;
• Farmland that has become a wetland as a result of flooding;
• Range land, pasture, or production forestland where the hydrology has been significantly degraded and can be restored;
• Riparian areas which link protected wetlands;
• Land adjacent to protected wetlands that contribute significantly to wetland functions and values; and
• Previously restored wetlands that need long-term protection

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps you build on your existing conservation efforts while strengthening your operation.

Fact Sheet:

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2023-11/is-csp-right-for-me-11062023.pdf

The Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program, a federal emergency recovery program, helps local communities recover after a natural disaster strikes. The program offers technical and financial assistance to help local communities relieve imminent threats to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms and other natural disasters that impair a watershed.

Fact Sheet:

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-08/NRCS_EWPP_Fact%20Sheet-2021.pdf