1. USDA-NRCS COST SHARE PROGRAM BILL HUGHES STATE RESOURCE CONSERVATIONIST

2. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM (EQIP)  Regular Program…………….$10,412,279 Special Programs Litter Transport………………….$692,885 Invasive Species………………..$293,178 Water Conservation…………….$236,900 Total EQIP.…………………….$11,656,824

3. OTHER PROGRAMS  Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIIP)…………………………...…$426,955  Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) Contracts………………..…………..…..….$269,000 Contracts………………..…………..…..….$269,000 Easement..………………………………….$373,400 Easement..………………………………….$373,400  Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) Easement………………………….………..$680,000 Easement………………………….………..$680,000  Farm & Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) Easements………………………….......…$1,035,500 Easements………………………….......…$1,035,500

4. Total Cost Shares/Easements  $14,344,300

5. EQIP Regular Program  Erosion on Cropland  Water Quality—Animal Waste  Grazing Lands  Water Conservation  At-Risk Species (wildlife and ecosystems)

6. EQIP—Litter Transport  Movement of Poultry Litter from heavy poultry production counties to others  Contracts with recipient producers  Three years maximum  Establish relationships and develop logistics for continued usage of litter  Funded by Ranking

7. EQIP-Invasive Species  Assist Landowners in controlling invasive plants identified by Invasive Plant Council  Follow recommended treatment herbicides, timing and management  Incentive payments for 3 years and one year follow-up  Funded by Ranking

8. EQIP-Water Conservation  To assist producers in making existing irrigation systems more efficient  3 year incentive payments  Retooling or replacing system  Other water conserving agronomic and management practices associated  Funded by Ranking

9. Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program  Develop Habitats to encourage populations of at-risk or species with less than potential populations in the state  Habitats: Longleaf pine ecosystem, early successional habitat, Open-Canopy Forests, etc.  Target Species: T&E’s, quail, waterfowl, neo-tropical birds

10. Grassland Reserve Program  Agreements with landowners to retain land in grass into future.  10, 15, 20, 30 year Long Term Agreements  30 year and Perpetual Easements  Protect from conversion to other uses, i.e. urban sprawl, cultivation, forested

11. Wetland Reserve Program  To return prior converted wetlands back to a planned wetland condition  Long Term Agreements, 30 year & Perpetual Easements  All Perpetual Easements to date

12. Farm & Ranchland Protection Program  To protect prime and unique farmland from risk of conversion to non-farm uses, i.e. commercial or residential development  Perpetual easement to purchase development rights  Able to retain in farming, following normal farming practices  Able to transfer to family, sell, etc. with easement attached

13. Conservation Security Program (CSP)  Wheeler Lake Watershed  700,000 acres  5,500 farms  Parts of 8 Alabama counties and 3 Tennessee Counties  High percentage and acres of Cropland and Pasture

14. Cropland  Crop Rotation (2-3 years high residue crop in rotation)  Conservation Tillage (High Residue)  Field Borders  Terraces, waterways, etc. as needed  Nutrient Management  Pest Management  Willing to pursue additional conservation enhancements

15. Pasture  Following Grazing Plan (rotating pasture)  Cross Fencing  Water Supplies  Pest Management  Nutrient Management  Keep livestock and grazing records  Willing to pursue additional conservation enhancements