Oct 23, 2012 2 min read

Greene County agricultural producers are being encouraged to make application for Natural Resource Conservation Service incentive programs.While the 2012 Farm Bill has not yet been approved, and it is not known if a short-term continuation of the 2008 Farm Bill will be approved, NRCS is making contingency plans to continue to work with farmers and landowners who want to implement conservation practices. Based on proposed legislation, it appears that the same types of conservation practices that are currently available for assistance will continue to be available. The name of the program that provides funding is subject to change depending on legislation.Practices that reduce soil erosion and nutrient loss on cropland; help farmers manage manure and nutrients associated with livestock production; help forest land owners better manage woodlands; improve wildlife habitat, or improve grazing systems are anticipated to continue to be eligible for funding assistance. Individual practices that have been historically popular include: waste storage facilities, grass waterways, no-till, cover crops, streamside buffers, prescribed grazing, feed management, nutrient management and forest stand improvement. Greene County farmers may apply for help with any of these conservation practices. They also may call NRCS for technical assistance with farming issues.Applicants can request funding through the same programs that have been available through the current 2008 Farm Bill, and if changes are made as a result of the 2012 Farm Bill, NRCS will transfer those applications to the appropriate program for consideration. Applicants do need to specify what they are requesting assistance for at the time they are filing their application. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.To take advantage of technical assistance and expertise or federally funded conservation on a farm or land, contact the local U.S. Department of Agriculture NRCS Field Office at 724-627-5821, ext. 3, or visit its website at www.pa.nrcs.usda.gov for applications and program information.