Funding offered for natural resource concerns on Nebraska farms, ranches

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has funding available to Nebraska farmers and ranchers to develop Conservation Activity Plans.
    These plans help identify and find solutions for natural resource concerns on a farming operation. Applications for this year’s funding are now being accepted at local NRCS offices through June 18.
     Conservation Activity Plans are specific to certain kinds of land use such as transitioning to organic operations, grazing land, forest land, or can also address a specific resource need such a managing nutrients or an air quality concern.
     According to Conor Ward, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program manager with NRCS, “With a Conservation Activity Plan, producers not only have assistance in identifying resource concerns, they can then apply for financial assistance to implement the conservation practices needed to address those concerns.”
     Eligible producers may apply at their local NRCS office at any time, but to be considered for this year’s funding, applications need to be submitted by June 18.
    If the application is accepted, payments are made directly to program participants for development of the plan.
     For more information, contact the local NRCS field office, or visit www.nrcs.usda.gov.