Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches and Communities Natural Resources Conservation and Management View this quiz as a slide show from “the beginning” Each page will originally show just buttons. You may want to start with 1 st clicking on the Program name and try guessing what each program does, then clicking on Program Summary to check your guess. As you learn the programs, you may want to try first clicking on the Program Summary and guessing the Program Name using the Acronym button as a hint. The Program funding, eligibility and Legislation buttons are for use once you learn the basics about the programs During the slide show, you can right click on any slide and choose pointer options then pen or highlighter to write on any slide. But you will need to right click & choose pointer options then arrow before you can click on any of the navigation links again. Click to Start

AWEP Program Acronym Program Summary Next Slide Agricultural Water Enhancement Program Legislation Eligibility Program Basics Promoting ground and surface water conservation or water quality improvement on agricultural lands a voluntary conservation program under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Under AWEP, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) enters into partnership agreements with eligible entities that want to promote ground and surface water conservation or improve water quality on agricultural lands. The 2008 Farm Bill established AWEP, replacing the Ground and Surface Water Conservation Program. recognized Indian Tribes, States, units of local government, agricultural or silvicultural associations, or other groups of such producers Unknown Program NameFunding

CRP Program Acronym Program Summary Next Slide Conservation Reserve Program Legislation Eligibility Program Basics Conserving soil, water, and wildlife by temporarily removing land from agricultural production The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers the CRP, with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) providing technical land eligibility determinations, conservation planning and practice implementation Either Cropland planted 4 of the 6 years or marginal pastureland enrolled in the Water Bank Program or suitable for use as a riparian Unknown Program NameFunding USDA offers annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to farmers to establish long-term conserving cover, primarily grasses and trees, on land that has been in row crop production. At periodic general sign-ups, and land is bid into the program on a competitive basis, with ranking based on environmental benefits and cost. At continuous signup (CCRP) farmers are paid to establish riparian buffers, grass waterways, contour grass strips, and other specific partial field conservation practices on land in agricultural production. Also Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) agreement with a states sharing funding for farmers to address state targeted conservation issues. Contracts between USDA and landowners are for 10 to 15 years, or longer for land planted to trees.

CIG Program AcronymProgram Summary Next Slide Conservation Innovation Grant Program Legislation Eligibility Program Basics Funding innovative agricultural conservation projects through EQIP grants a voluntary conservation program under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) intended to stimulate development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches in agricultural production, while leveraging federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers EQIP and therefore CIG. CIG allows NRCS to work with other public and private entities to accelerate technology transfer and adoption of promising approaches to address natural resource concerns This subprogram was first authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill. The 2008 Farm Bill added forest management as an activity eligible for the CIG program. National and State components. natural resource concerns eligible CIG are announced annually through an Announcement for Program Funding. 4 CIG categories in FY2009 were Natural Resource w/ 6 concerns; Water Resources; Soil Resources; Atmospheric Resources; Grazing Land; Forest Health; and Wildlife Habitat. 2 nd National Technology - Improved On- Farm Energy Efficiency, Water Management, Improved Nutrient Management to Improve Water Quality, and Air Quality. 3 rd Grant Leveraging - pilot 4 th category was the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Category. Total funding left to USDA. In FY09, $18 million, funding 55 projects Farm Bill also sets aside $37.5 million of EQIP funds annually from FY09 through FY12 ($150 million in total) Congress directs the funding to projects Program NameFunding

Program Acronym Program Summary Next Slide Legislation Eligibility Program Basics supports special local and regional conservation projects that involve groups of farmers or ranchers in partnership with USDA, farm, conservation and other non-governmental organizations, state and tribal agencies, and/or other entities 90 percent of the funds and acres reserved for projects chosen by the NRCS State Conservationist 10% for multi-state projects selected through a national competitive process. partnership agreements with USDA can run for up to 5 years. Program NameFunding 2008 Farm Bill directs USDA to reserve 6% of the total funds for each fiscal years , from the Conservation Stewardship Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program. over $100 million a year for special cooperative conservation projects. CCPI Supporting local and regional conservation practices through partnerships Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative Farmers and ranchers may enter into partnerships which include one or more of the following: States and local governments; Indian tribes; Producer associations; Farmer cooperatives; Institutions of higher education; or Nongovernmental organizations.

CSP Program Acronym Program Summary Next Slide Legislation Eligibility Program Basics a comprehensive working lands conservation program designed to protect and improve natural resources and the environment. provides technical and financial assistance to farmers and ranchers to actively manage and maintain existing conservation systems and to implement additional conservation activities on land in agricultural production authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill. Administered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Private agricultural land except land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve, Wetland Reserve, or Grassland Reserve Programs (CRP, WRP, and GRP). must enroll all acres that they operate.. The Farm Bill provides sufficient funding to enroll nearly 13 million acres each year. Program NameFunding Conservation Stewardship Program Helping and rewarding farmers and ranchers who maintain and continue conservation practices

EQIP Program Acronym Program Summary Next Slide Environmental Quality Incentives Program Legislation Eligibility Program Basics Providing technical, financial, and educational assistance to farmers and ranchers to address significant natural resource concerns and objectives promotes agricultural production, forest management, and environmental quality as compatible national goals. offers financial and technical help to implement structural and management practices on agl land and nonindustrial private forest land. offers financial w/ min contracts ends 1 year after the implementation of the last practices; a maximum term is 10 years. authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill. Only people engaged in ag, forestry, or livestock production or are owners of such land. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pasture, nonindustrial private forest land, and other farm or ranch lands.. For FY09, EQIP was funded at $1.07 billion, and in FY10 at $1.18 billion. Both years’ appropriations reflected cuts from levels authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill.. Program NameFunding

FRPP Program Acronym Program Summary Next Slide Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program Legislation Eligibility Program Basics Providing funding to acquire conservation easements on farm and ranch lands to prohibit conversion of lands to nonagricultural uses provides funds to help purchase rights to keep productive farm and ranch land in agricultural use. Using existing programs. USDA provides up to 50% market value of the conservation easement. Cooperating entities must provide at least 50% For the FRPP, a conservation easement is an assigned right prohibiting any development, subdivision, or practice that would damage the agricultural value or productivity of the farmland. It is legally recorded in an agreement between a landowner and a qualified organization and restricts land to agriculture and open space use. Restrictions on land use may qualify the land for a real estate tax deduction. unknown LOTS of restrictions Congress has authorized $743 million in FRPP funding from 2008 to 2012 Program NameFunding

FLP Program Acronym Program Summary Next Slide Forest Legacy Program Legislation Eligibility Program Basics Providing technical, financial, and educational assistance to farmers and ranchers to address significant natural resource concerns and objectives supports states’ efforts to protect environmentally sensitive, privately owned forestland from conversion to non-forest uses. protects “working forests” that provide environmental services and public benefits. tracts can be managed for sustainable timber production as well as water quality and watershed protection, maintenance of open space, scenic lands, wildlife habitat and opportunities for outdoor recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, and hiking. Created by Congress in Unknown Since its inception, the Forest Legacy Program has helped protect nearly 1.7 million acres in 48 states and territories. Program NameFunding

FPL Program Acronym Program Summary Next Slide Forest Products Lab Legislation Eligibility Program Basics Providing information on wood housing, forest products technologies, commercial opportunities, and current research and development programs a centralized wood research lab and clearinghouse for information on uses of wood, research and demonstration programs are accomplished through coordinated partnerships with industry, university, and government. Innovations developed here are patented and licensed for use in private companies for commercial application. The Technology Marketing Unit helps transfer information by matching customer needs with existing research. The general public, industry, regulatory agencies, state and private foresters, educators, and other government agencies and organizations use the information to build better wood homes, solve wood use problems, or develop improved wood processing systems Unknown. FPL staff provides information upon request, helps develop information needed, or suggests alternative sources of information or expertise. No financial assistance is available, although some technologies need partners to demonstrate or evaluate them, and FPL helps private-sector partners find sources of capital either through other USDA agencies or participating state government incentive programs Unknown. Program NameFunding

? Program Acronym Program Summary Next Slide Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program Legislation Eligibility Program Basics Cannot Find unknownUnknown. unknown Unknown. Program NameFunding

? Program Acronym Program Summary Next Slide Forest Stewardship Program Legislation Eligibility Program Basics Helping private forest landowners develop plans for sustainable management of their forests provides technical assistance, through state forestry agency partners, to nonindustrial private forestland owners to encourage and enable active long term forest management. A primary focus of the program is to develop comprehensive, multi-resource management plans to give landowners the information they need to manage their forests for a variety of products and services. The planning assistance offered also provide landowners with enhanced access to other USDA conservation programs and/or forest certification programs. Unknown. open to any non-industrial private forest landowner who is committed to the active management and stewardship of forested properties for at least 10 years. Unknown. Program NameFunding

GRP Program Acronym Program Summary Next Slide Grassland Reserve Program Legislation Eligibility Program Basics Helping landowners and operators restore and protect grassland, including rangeland, pastureland, and certain other lands, while maintaining the areas as grazing lands is a voluntary program that emphasizes support for grazing operations, plant and animal biodiversity, and grassland and land containing shrubs and forbs under the greatest threat of conversion. The program assists owners and operators to protect grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring and conserving eligible land through rental contracts, easements, and restoration agreements. authorized by the Food Security Act of 1985, as amended by the 2008 Farm Bill. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) administer the program in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service. LOTs of restriction Unknown, didn’t understand. Program NameFunding

None Program Acronym Program Summary Next Slide Partners for Fish and Wildlife Legislation Eligibility Program Basics Providing technical and/or financial assistance for wildlife habitat restoration a proactive, voluntary program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that provides technical and financial assistance to private (nonfederal) landowners to restore fish and wildlife habitats on their land. The program emphasizes the reestablishment of native vegetation and ecological communities for the benefit of fish and wildlife in concert with the needs and desires of private landowners. Unknown. unknown Unknown. Program NameFunding

RC&D Program Acronym Program Summary Next Slide Resource Conservation and Development Legislation Eligibility Program Basics Providing technical assistance to local communities to stimulate economies and protect natural resources provides technical assistance to local communities through designated USDA areas led by RC&D Councils. The purpose of the program is to accelerate the conservation, development and use of natural resources while improving the general level of economic activity and standard of living in communities across the nation. RC&D Councils coordinate conservation and rural development assistance available from USDA, other federal, state, and local government and nongovernmental sources. Unknown. Eligible applicants are Councils with representation from state and local governments, Tribes, and nonprofit organizations with authority to plan or carry out activities relating to resource use and development in multijurisdictional areas working through designated RC&D Councils. Unknown. Program NameFunding

WRP Program Acronym Program Summary Next Slide Wetlands Reserve Program Legislation Eligibility Program Basics Restoring and protecting wetlands on private property, and providing financial incentives to enhance wetlands in exchange for retiring agricultural land helps landowners restore, protect and enhance wetlands. The NRCS provides technical information about restoring wetlands and financial assistance for conservation measures. 4 enrollment options: 1) permanent easement, 2) 30-year easement, or 3) restoration cost share agreement 4) land owned by Indian Tribes may be enrolled in a 30-year contract. landowner retains ownership of the land; remains responsible for taxes; controls access; reserves the right to quiet enjoyment and undeveloped hunting, fishing, and other undeveloped recreational uses; and may sell or lease land. Other uses may be permitted providing NRCS determines the use is compatible with the restoration and protection of the wetland, and both protects and enhances the wetland functions and values. The program is administered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) with advice from the State Technical Committees. Only private land and land owned by Indian tribes is eligible. a landowner must have a clear title and own the land for at least 7 years with some exceptions. The land must be restorable to wetland conditions Unknown. Program NameFunding

WHIP Program Acronym Program Summary Next Slide Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program Legislation Eligibility Program Basics Offering cost-sharing and technical assistance to improve wildlife habitat to help landowners develop and preserve important wildlife habitat for future generations. Areas: 1)Wetland Wildlife Habitat—WHIP wetlands include acreage not eligible for the NRCS Wetland Reserve Program 2)Riparian and Insert Aquatic Wildlife 3)Threatened and Endangered Species Unknown. applicants must own or have control of the land under consideration. may be individuals, groups, or businesses. Eligible land: Private agricultural lands; Nonindustrial private forest land; Tribal lands. non- eligible Land: publicly owned lands; land enrolled in Waterbank, Emergency Watershed Program floodplain easements, Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands Reserve Program, or other similar programs; or land where the expected impact from off-site conditions make the success of habitat improvement unlikely. The budget for WHIP is authorized at a total of $360 million from Program NameFunding

WERC Program Acronym Program Summary Next Slide Wood Education Resource Center Legislation Eligibility Program Basics Enhancing business opportunities based on hardwood forest resource utilization, value added processing, and wood recycling and reuse fosters interaction and information exchange with the forest products industry to enhance opportunities for sustained forest products production in the eastern hardwood forest region of the United States (35 states). Primary goals include: 1)Improve the knowledge, skills, and capacity of the workforce and management within the forest products industry. 2)Increase communication, cooperation, and collaborative problem solving within the forest products industry. 3)Improve efficiency in forest products manufacturing and wood utilization. 4)Promote the sustainable utilization of woody biomass for energy and value-added products administered by the Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry branch of the U. S. Forest Service. nonfederal agencies; public and private agencies including state, local and tribal governments; institutions of higher education; non-profit organizations; for-profit organizations; corporations; businesses; and others Unknown. Program NameFunding