CSP Signup Deadline Extended to January 27, 2012

Virginia farmers and forestry producers now have more time to sign up for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and earn payments for the environmental benefits their operations produce. Producers interested in taking their land management practices to the next level should call or visit their local USDA Service Center to apply before the first enrollment period ends January 27, 2012.  

Authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, this USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) program is open to all Virginia farmers and forestry producers who are actively involved in applying conservation practices on their land. Targeted land includes crop-, pasture- and non-industrial private forest land with no restrictions on operation size, crops produced, or geographic location.

Read the national CSP release.

Deadlines Approach for Conservation Innovation Grant Proposals

NRCS is seeking proposals for 2012 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) that test and prove original approaches to conserving America’s private lands. Project proposals must be submitted by January 31, 2012 to be eligible for approximately $15 million in funding.

Eligible applicants include private individuals, federally recognized Indian Tribes, State or local governments or non-governmental organizations. To apply electronically, visit http://www.grants.gov/. To view the complete Announcement of Program Funding, visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/cig/.

Read the full CIG release.

NRCS is also seeking proposals for CIG projects focused on water quality credit trading. Proposals must be submitted by March 2, 2012 to be eligible for up to $10 million in funding, half of which will be awarded in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. 

Prospective applicants are invited to join a NRCS webinar at 3 p.m. EST on January 24th to learn more about program goals and ask questions of USDA officials and staff. Details are available on the CIG website. 

Read the full water quality markets release.

Funding Available for Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program Projects

NRCS is now accepting proposals for Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP) projects to protect high-priority wetlands and to improve wildlife habitat and water quality on eligible lands. State and local governments, Indian Tribes and non-governmental organizations are eligible to submit proposals and enter into agreements with NRCS. Electronic proposals must be submitted to diane.dunaway@va.usda.gov by February 10, 2012 to be eligible for up to $15 million in financial assistance or $2 million in technical assistance funding.

Individual landowners MAY NOT submit WREP proposals but MAY apply to participate in an approved WRP project through their local NRCS office. Read the full WREP announcement (pdf, 140KB). Contact Diane Dunaway at 804-287-1634 to learn more.

NRCS Announces Application Deadlines for 2012 Farm Bill Programs

Virginia NRCS has announced that sign up for 2012 Farm Bill Programs is ongoing with a number of modifications to our offerings. Key program changes in FY 12 include payments for 10-foot setback fences and access control for riparian areas, elimination of orchard pest management and groundwater conservation practices, and restrictions on cost-share payments for buildings (animal waste handling or water quality concerns only).

NRCS will offer the aquaculture pilot program under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program this year and expand it to include restoration of rare and declining habitat. Three other initiatives will now be managed at the national rather than state level: on-farm energy, organics, and seasonal high tunnels.

Application deadlines: February 3, March 30, and June 1. View updated fact sheets for EQIP, CBWI, WHIP, easement programs. For more information, contact your local NRCS office.

New Position Helps With Longleaf Pine Habitat Restoration

NRCS is partnering with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to fund a dedicated staff person to help promote longleaf pine habitat restoration. Bob Glennon will serve as a resource for Virginia landowners interested in improving longleaf pine habitat on agricultural land, non-industrial private forest and Tribal land. NRCS offers financial assistance through the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) for implementing conservation practices such as planting longleaf pine, installing firebreaks, conducting prescribed burning and controlling invasive plants. 

This funding is available to landowners in the following Virginia counties:  Accomack, Brunswick, Chesapeake City, Dinwiddie, Gloucester, Greensville, Isle of Wight, James City, Mathews, Northampton, Prince George, Southampton, Surry, Sussex, Suffolk, Virginia Beach and York. Learn more about the longleaf pine initiative in Virginia. View map of targeted counties (jpg, 175 KB). Contact Bob Glennon at (757) 357-7004, ext. 126.

Farmland Protection Funds Available Through FRPP

Federal funding is now available to help keep the state’s prime and important farmlands from being converted to other uses. State, tribal or local governments and non-governmental organizations (including land trusts) can now submit applications for eligible parcels through the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP).

To be eligible, the land must contain at least 50 percent prime, unique, statewide or locally important farmland soils, historic or archeological resources or land supporting the farm and ranch land protection policies of state or local programs. NRCS accepts applications on a continual basis. Get more details on FRPP.