Balancing profitable and efficient farming with water quality is a delicate act. Best management practices (BMPs) assist farmers in striking the right balance. Some BMPs are commonly known and used, while others are not as well known.
When it comes to choosing BMPs for a farming operation, it’s important to remember that no two farms, or farmers, are the same. A practice that works well on one farm may not be as effective on another. No matter which BMPs a farmer chooses, some can be costly to implement. To reduce the cost to the farmer, some conservation districts and the USDA offer cost-share assistance.
Cost-share assistance shares the cost of implementing managerial and structural BMPs such as vegetative filter strips and pasture fencing. There’s a common misconception among farmers that cost-share assistance is not available. In fact, assistance is available through local USDA service providers or local conservation districts. Funds are limited so it’s important to understand the funding process.
Receiving assistance isn’t as simple as applying for it. A farmer must meet certain qualifications before funds are distributed. Qualification is typically determined by the amount of environmental improvement related to the implementation of BMPs.
If cost-sharing assistance is not available from your county conservation district, contact the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to find out about Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The EQIP program addresses natural resource problems in local areas. Top priority is given to farmers making agricultural improvements meeting water quality objectives. EQIP offers contracts providing incentive payments and cost sharing for conservation practices. Practices included in the program are manure management systems, pest management, erosion control and other practices that improve and maintain healthy natural resources.
There are also other cost share programs that are somewhat similar to the EQIP program. The main difference between the other programs and EQIP is that they are funded on a non-competitive basis. These other programs are the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP). No matter which program a farmer wants to sign up for it’s always a good idea to call ahead of time before making a visit so that the proper documents for sign up can be provided.
To learn more about BMPs or cost-share assistance, contact your local Extension office.
John Pennington is the agriculture and water quality specialist with the University of Arkansas Washington County Extension Office, in Fayetteville, Ark.
