The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program.  (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)  Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).  To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”

NRCS OFFERS CONTINUOUS

SIGN-UP for FARM BILL

CONSERVATION

PROGRAMS

The Natural Resources Conservation Service offers continuous sign-up for Farm Bill Conservation Programs to assist agricultural producers with addressing natural resources concerns on their land.  Each fall, a batching period is set to review and rank applications received for possible acceptance and funding.   The batching date for 2011 projects ended November 1, however Ag Producers are still encouraged to sign-up for cost-share assistance since their application will be carried over to the next funding cycle.  Applying early allows field office staff to work with applicants to complete the required

paperwork and evaluate their proposed project, it also helps the field office better manage the workload for the upcoming field season.

 

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis for all Farm Bill programs including Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).   Conservation practices can be installed with technical and cost-share assistance once accepted into the conservation program.  Currently, resource concerns being addressed using EQIP funds in Albany County are; rangeland/grazing land resource, wildlife habitat projects for sage grouse and other wildlife species, irrigated lands, and private forestland.  Just a few of the practices that can be may be cost-shared  include; installing livestock water developments, fencing projects to improve grazing management, removal and replacement of existing fence to  install a wildlife friendly fence in big game migration areas, and  projects to  improve aspen stands.  Funds are also available to assist Ag producers to work with private contractors to develop a Conservation Activity Plan (CAP).

 

Producers interested in applying for USDA-NRCS conservation program should contact the NRCS- Laramie Rivers Conservation District office at 5015 Stone Road, Ph 307-745-3698.

Picture of a completed wildlife friendly fence.  A wildlife friendly fence must have a maximum height of 42 inches, 12 inch spacing between the top and second wire.  The bottom wire must also be barbless and 16 inches above the ground.