NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program

[tlj87]

Is anyone on here enrolled in the program? What has been your experience with it? It seems like it could be a good way to get a little bit of extra money to make further enhancements on your land (e.g. tree planting, invasives control, timber stand improvement, trail maintenance, etc.).

 

[smstonypoint]

I have received cost-sharing via the EQUIP program for:

1. spraying of herbicides for hardwood control is a pine plantation tract,
2. controlled burn in a pine plantation tract,
3. construction of an access trail, and
4. stream restoration/relocation (300 feet).

No problems -- the NRCS staff have been easy to work with. I have a current application for additional stream restoration/relocation.

Steve

 

[roadhunter]

I am working with NRCS staff in several states to offer a new land enhancement in the region for disposing of slash piles after thinning and fuel reduction projects.

It seems like a neat program that provides a minimum of $1,500 per year to the landowner if I understand it correctly. The list of enhancements is mind boggling. I suspect it would work well with many of the landowners on this site.

My suggestion it to do your homework. Sometimes NRCS staff is not familiar with every rule and regulation and I have witnessed them try to essentially give people the run around. We had a landowner who wanted to sign up and contacted them and they told us becasue the land was grazed it was considered rangeland and not forest. I contacted NRCS at the state level and found that if there is a 25% canopy it can still be considered forest as the grazing was used for fuel reduction. Then the next week the local NRCS office told us land woud not qualify if it was not used for grazing. fortunately we were able to straighten it all out but you have to remember that the easiest thing for them to do is tell you you don't' qualify and they can go back to surfing the internet on uncle sugar's payroll. It's one of those situations where you need to know more about thier job than they do. Fortunately not all of them are like that, some are even downright helpful

 

[TripleR]

We have used it for many years for reforestation and Native Grasses. We now have to drop the grass program and go to the Pollinator. It's OK, but can be a lot of work initially.

 

[bigtiller]

I've been there twice. They were very helpful in selecting the best type and spacing of trees for MY property to build a windbreak.


Another time they designed a waterway on paper and gave me a list of qualified contractors and seed recommendations for MY field.

But if all you want is their money, you may not be as happy as I am with them. They have rules that need to be followed for the length of the contract. If the rules aren't followed, they may require you to return their money.

 

[TripleR]

Our NRCS office has been very helpful, but yes there are rules with which you must abide. They are not unreasonable as during our second year after planting hard woods, we had better than a 50% failure rate due to mice or voles eating the roots and we were given time to replant and get the stand up to acceptable standards.

 

[hslogger]

I have had real good experience with my local SWCD and NRCS. They have some swell folks and programs. If your request has merit and they have money available, they are ready willing and able. Many years ago I went to them NOT with my hand out. I was thinking of doing a restoration project that included fencing off overgrazed water shed and ponds. I had some ideas and wanted to run it by them to insure I wasn't breaking any rules or laws, and basically wanted their opinion on my proposal. Again, I just wanted their input and didn't expect any paperwork or money to be exchanged.

With in a short time of my presentation, they stopped me while they brought in some more office staff to hear me out. They all liked my idea and said they would be happy to help me implement the project with a grant. Boy, I hadn't expected anything like that and it worked out swell for me, my place and they are happy about it.

 

[TripleR]

We are getting very good service on our change over from one CRP program that is no longer available to a new one.

 

[tlj87]

Thanks for the info. The application cut off for CSP is Feb. 3. I think I'm going to apply. I'll update when I know more about it. Apparently, for 2017, the CSP has been completely revamped.

 

[TripleR]

Thanks for the info. The application cut off for CSP is Feb. 3. I think I'm going to apply. I'll update when I know more about it. Apparently, for 2017, the CSP has been completely revamped.

Yes it has, we sign our paper tomorrow and it's a lot more complicated than in the past with more rules and fewer openings.