Federal Programs

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): EQIP is a voluntary conservation program for farmers and ranchers that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. EQIP provides technical assistance and cost-share payments to producers; with the plan of operations being developed by both conservation professionals and producers. Plans that are selected and funded receive cost-share--money to help turn that plan into reality.

EQIP addresses natural resource issues associated with livestock operations and agricultural production. EQIP can help with:

• Terraces
• Conservation Tillage
• Nutrient Management Plans
• Designs and plans for animal waste management structures
• Fencing materials and designs
• Forest Stand improvement, thinning
• Wetland Restoration
• Grazing Management Plans & Materials
• Streambank Protection
• Grassed Waterways
• Pest Management

Applications can be picked up at the Spencer NRCS office.

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Programs (WHIP): WHIP is a voluntary program that encourages creation of high quality wildlife habitats that support wildlife populations of National, State, Tribal and local significance. Through WHIP, the NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to landowners and others to develop upland, wetland, riparian, and aquatic habitat areas on their property. 

Since 1998, nearly 11,000 participants have enrolled more than 1.6 million acres into the program.Most efforts have concentrated on improving upland wildlife habitat, such as native prairie, but there is an increasing emphasis on improving riparian and aquatic areas.

Applications can be picked up at the Spencer NRCS office.

Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP): The Wetlands Reserve Program is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. In all cases, the landowner retains ownership and responsibility for the land, including any property taxes based on its reassessed value as wetland or nongricultural land. To be eligible, the landowner must have owned the land for at least 1 year.

Land Eligibility Requirements must be restorable and be suitable for wildlife benefits:

• Wetlands cleared and/or drained for farming, pasture or timber production.
• Lands adjacent to restorable wetlands that contribute significantly to wetland funtions and values.
• Previously restored wetlands that need long-term protection.
• Upland areas neede to provide an ecological buffer or that otherwise contribute to defining a manageable boundary.
• Drained wooded wetlands where hydrology will be fully restored.
• Existing or restorable riparian habitat corridors that connect protected wetlands.
• Lands substantially altered by flooding where there is a likelihood of successful wetland restoration at a reasonable cost.

Ineligible Land:

• Wetlands converted after December 23, 1985.
• Certain Conservation Reserve Program contract lands where trees have been successfully established.
• Federal lands.
• Lands where conditions make restoration impossible.

The program offers several enrollment options:

• Permanent Easement
• 30 Year Easement
• Rental Agreement
• Restoration Agreement

Applications can be picked up at the Spencer NRCS office.

Grassland Reserve Program (GRP): GRP is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore and enhance grasslands including rangeland and pastureland, and certain other lands, while maintaining the areas as grazing lands. The program 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 offers several enrollment options:

• Permanent Easement
• 30 Year Easement
• Rental Agreement
• Restoration Agreement