Cost Share Assistance Available for Conservation Practices

Conservation programs for both technical and financial assistance to landowners were authorized in the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill). The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) are just two of the many programs available through your local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office.

While EQIP is tailored to benefit agricultural producers and WHIP geared for landowners with wildlife as their priority, both programs provide financial assistance to address resource concerns on their property through conservation practices. Many practices are available to receive cost-share on rangelands including brush management, cross-fencing, water development and range planting just to name a few. Cost share practices are also available for cropland and pastureland, such as nutrient or pest management, pasture or hayland planting, terraces and waterways.

Applications for EQIP and WHIP are accepted yearround. Funding is dependent on an annual county allocation and the application ranking process which generally takes place in early spring. Ranking scores are based on overall cost effectiveness and how effectively and comprehensively the project addresses the designated resource concerns. Interested land owners should contact your local NRCS office for further details. Certain eligibility criteria must be established in order to receive consideration for funding.

Contact the NRCS office in Rocksprings (830) 683- 2125 ext. 3. The office is located at 110 South Sweeten in Rocksprings, across from the court house. Service center locations and program information can also be found on the Texas NRCS Web site at www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov.