At the Tazewell Soil and Water Conservation District office, we utilize several government funded programs which can help local farmers increase the effectiveness of their farms without large financial burdens. Simply click on program names in order to find out more information on the programs with which we work.
State Programs:
TMDL - Total Maximum Daily Load
BMP - Best Management Practices
Federal Programs:
WHIP - Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program
Total maximum daily load program works with farmers to reduce the amount of runoff and pollution from agricultural practices that enter into our natural water systems.
Riparian Buffer Zone & Tree Planting: Riparian buffer szones are established to exclude livestock from streams. Th buffer, acting as a filter, reduces sediments and increases wildlife habitat. Another benefit from the buffer area is the ease in which livestock can now be gathered and rotated.
Spring Development: When excluding livestock from a water source, and alternate source will provided. Springs are developed when available and if not, wells are drilled.
Pumping Plant: Pumping plants and reservoirs can be used to add versatility to where water troughs can be installed.
Troughs: Troughs are virtually maintenance free and electricity is not required for installation. They can be purchased in a variety of sizes to accommodate most application or utilize tires from heavy heavy equipment to meet your trough needs.
Animal Trails and Walkways: Low impact stream crossings prevent stream bank erosion, reduce manure input, and enhance machinery and livestock movement.
Woodland Exclusion: Fencing of woodland areas to exclude livestock, protects the timber resource and improves wildlife habitat. It also keeps livestock grazing instead of resting which leads to increased weight gains of livestock.
For more information about this program, please stop by the Tazewell Soil and Water Conservation District office behind the BB&T Bank on Dial Rock Rd. Ask for Terisa Corell.
Best Management Practices are designed to improve water quality by reducing the amount of sediment entering a stream.
Riparian Buffer Zone & Tree Planting: Riparian buffer szones are established to exclude livestock from streams. Th buffer, acting as a filter, reduces sediments and increases wildlife habitat. Another benefit from the buffer area is the ease in which livestock can now be gathered and rotated.
Spring Development: When excluding livestock from a water source, and alternate source will provided. Springs are developed when available and if not, wells are drilled.
Pumping Plant: Pumping plants and reservoirs can be used to add versatility to where water troughs can be installed.
Troughs: Troughs are virtually maintenance free and electricity is not required for installation. They can be purchased in a variety of sizes to accommodate most application or utilize tires from heavy heavy equipment to meet your trough needs.
Animal Trails and Walkways: Low impact stream crossings prevent stream bank erosion, reduce manure input, and enhance machinery and livestock movement.
Woodland Exclusion: Fencing of woodland areas to exclude livestock, protects the timber resource and improves wildlife habitat. It also keeps livestock grazing instead of resting which leads to increased weight gains of livestock.
For more information about this program, please stop by the Tazewell Soil and Water Conservation District office behind the BB&T Bank on Dial Rock Rd. Ask for Lenden Thompson.
IntroductionThe Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program for conservation-minded landowners who want to develop and improve wildlife habitat on agricultural land, nonindustrial private forest land, and Indian land. Program DescriptionThe Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 reauthorized WHIP as a voluntary approach to improving wildlife habitat in our Nation. The Natural Resources Conservation Service administers WHIP to provide both technical assistance and up to 75 percent cost-share assistance to establish and improve fish and wildlife habitat. WHIP cost-share agreements between NRCS and the participant generally last from one year after the last conservation practice is implemented but not more than 10 years from the date the agreement is signed. WHIP Priorities for Fiscal Year 2009In order to provide direction to the State and local levels for implementing WHIP to achieve its objective, NRCS has established the following national priorities:
For more information please visit the NRCS website at the link below: |
IntroductionThe Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was reauthorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) to provide a voluntary conservation program for farmers and ranchers that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land. Program DescriptionEQIP offers contracts with a minimum term that ends one year after
the implementation of the last scheduled practices and a maximum term of
ten years. These contracts provide financial assistance to implement
conservation practices. Owners of land in agricultural production or
persons who are engaged in livestock or agricultural production on
eligible land may participate in the EQIP program. Program practices and
activities are carried out according to an EQIP program plan of
operations developed in conjunction with the producer that identifies
the appropriate conservation practice or measures needed to address the
resource concerns. The practices are subject to NRCS technical standards
adapted for local conditions. |
Purpose:
Eligibility:
For more information please visit the USDA website at the link below:
http://www.va.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/#onservation Reserve Enhancement Program - CREP