2002 Farm Bill Conservation Programs Ready for Local Participation

COLUMBIA, MO, June 19, 2002 – Missouri farmers and ranchers can begin applying for assistance available through programs in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 – the Farm Bill – says Roger Hansen, Natural Resources Conservation Service state conservationist.

Hansen says the 2002 Farm Bill contains increased funding for environmental stewardship and conservation of working lands, ensuring that land remains both healthy and productive.

"This legislation responds to a broad range of emerging natural resource challenges faced by farmers and ranchers, including soil erosion, wetlands and wildlife habitat enhancement and farmland protection," Hansen says.

He says landowners will benefit from a portfolio of voluntary assistance, including cost share, incentive payments and technical assistance.

"The conservation provisions build upon past conservation gains and ensures greater access to programs by making more farmers and ranchers eligible to participate," Hansen says.

Some of the conservation programs addressed by the new Farm Bill include:

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
The Farm Bill re-authorizes EQIP through 2007, adds $5.6 billion in funding, and streamlines the program. EQIP provides technical and financial assistance to eligible producers to address soil, water and related natural resource concerns. It offers cost-share payments to implement eligible conservation practices and incentive payments to implement land management practices.

Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)
WRP offers landowners an opportunity to obtain financial and technical assistance for restoring and protecting wetlands on their property. The Farm Bill increases overall acreage caps from 975,000 to 2.275 million acres. WRP is offered on a continuous sign-up basis.

Conservation Security Program
The Farm Bill creates a new Conservation Security Program to financially recognize ongoing stewardship efforts and to help producers address additional resource concerns on agricultural working lands. The Farm Bill establishes the program for fiscal years 2003 through 2007.

Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP)
FRPP helps protect prime farmland from conversion to nonagricultural uses. The Farm Bill re-authorizes this program and extends it to non-governmental organizations, as well as to states, tribes and local governments. It also expands the program to include farms and ranches that contain historical and archaeological sites.

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)
The Farm Bill re-authorizes WHIP, which improves fish and wildlife habitat on private lands. Through WHIP, landowners can receive financial and technical assistance to help reverse the decline of available wildlife habitat and contribute to the recovery of many at-risk species. USDA will provide $15 million during fiscal year 2002 to help landowners voluntarily develop habitat on their land. WHIP is offered on a continuous sign-up basis.

Resource Conservation and Development Program (RC&D)
The Farm Bill permanently re-authorizes the RC&D Program. The program provides tools and technical support that helps local people improve their quality of life, address social, economic and environmental concerns, and use natural resources wisely. The focus on local direction and control has made RC&D one of the federal government’s most successful, rural-development programs.

The Farm Bill also includes new initiatives that address challenges in water quality and quantity. A new grassroots source-water protection initiative will provide for wellhead and groundwater protection by working with state programs.