WHIP General Program Description

Missouri’s WHIP program is developed using locally led conservation through Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the Missouri State Technical Committee.  The Missouri State Technical Committee is composed of individuals who represent a variety of natural resource sciences and occupations including agricultural producers, agribusiness, nonprofit organizations, state and federal agencies.  Local concerns, national priorities, and national measures are all important considerations in the development of Missouri’s WHIP program. 

All Missouri sign-ups (applications) are conducted at USDA Service Centers.  Your local USDA Service Center agencies are also listed in the telephone book under United States Government, U.S. Department of Agriculture.  

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible to apply for WHIP, the applicant must have ownership or control of the land for the duration of the cost-share agreement.  Eligible lands include privately owned lands, Indian tribal lands, and in some cases government owned lands.  Many types of land, including grassland, woodland, wetlands, stream and riparian areas, agricultural land and non-agricultural land may apply for WHIP funds. 

All conservation practices planned through WHIP must meet NRCS technical standards.  Conservation practices started prior to the WHIP contract approval are no longer eligible for financial assistance.  A WHIP contract is approved when it has been signed by the appropriate NRCS representative.
 

The Wildlife Habitat Development Plan

A certified NRCS conservation planner will assist WHIP applicants to develop a wildlife habitat development plan, if they do not already have one, for the acreage affected by the WHIP practices. All planned conservation practices must meet NRCS technical standards. 

The Wildlife Habitat Development Plan outlines the conservation practices planned to benefit wildlife habitat on the applicant’s acres.  NRCS provides cost share for conservation practices through a contract that is a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 10 years in length. 
 

Developing a WHIP Contract

Applicants with the highest score (points) on the WHIP Scoring Worksheet will be selected for contract development.  A cost shared or incentive practice must be started within 12 months of contract approval by the NRCS representative. Once begun, the producer is expected to make continuous progress toward contract implementation. Failure to commence a practice within 12 months of contract approval will result in contract termination unless circumstances beyond the producer’s control prevented the start of the practice.