Rural Cost Share Program

Rural Cost Share program

 General Program Objectives

The Rural Cost Share program was created to help fund projects that make a positive difference on the land for cooperators who don't quite meet qualifying criteria for federal or state programs (not big enough acreage, not a full-time operation, etc.). Eligible projects may be implemented on private land as well as

Last Modified on January 30, 2012

adjacent public lands with grazing rights.

Our Rural Cost Share program offers a cost share of up to $5000 (rather than $1000 in Regular Cost Share) to do larger projects to benefit natural resources on more of a landscape scale. Rural Cost Share projects included installing a water pipeline and stock tank at a remote location, and a solar panel array and water pump at a remote location; both are intended to improve cattle distri-bution in large pastures, making for better bird and wildlife

Solar Stock Pump Conversion done under the Rural Cost Share Program.

habitat.

 

Specific Goals of Program

Improve wildlife habitat in riparian and wetland areas
Improve wildlife habitat in upland areas
Improve viewscapes in rural areas

Help keep agricultural operation viable

Reduce and mitigate noxious weeds

Improve grazing distribution

Improve water quality through stream/streambank restoration

Improve fish habitat

Improve efficiency of irrigation 

Examples of Eligible Practices

Solar stock pumps to improve livestock distribution in remote areas

Spring developments to enhance wildlife and or improve livestock distribution

Fencing for implementing rotational grazing systems on small acreage pastures

Fencing riparian areas to reduce impacts of livestock grazing

Projects that must be completed in order to meet prerequisites of Federal or State Programs 

 Levels of funding

The Cost-Share program is a matching program in which 50% of project costs may be reimbursed by the District. All projects must be pre-approved before being initiated and must be evaluated upon completion.

 

· Maximum matching amount is $5000 on a $10,000 project. We match cash expenditures (with receipts) only and will not accept labor as in-kind match.

· Up to $25,000 per fiscal year may be awarded in this program.

· Matched purchases should be made within Albany County if possible.

· Only one grant may be awarded per cooperator per year.

 Who is Eligible?

Albany county residents with agricultural land or land with important/significant wildlife habitat. 

 Selection Process

Grant selection and payment decisions will be made by the Laramie Rivers Conservation District Board of Supervisors. It is incumbent potential cooperators to make the case that their project meets the goals of this program and has public benefit.

Right click Here for the criteria and an application form!

(Choose “File and then Save a Copy” and save the file to your computer)

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT COST SHARE FUNDS ARE SUBJECT TO FEDERAL INCOME TAX!