NRCS Programs

[Quailman]

Hopefully the moderators can leave this topic at the top for a few weeks.

Right now, NRCS is taking applications for our USDA cost share programs, and one I think will be of interest to many on this forum is the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP). WHIP will pay 75% of the costs to establish wildlife habitat on your property for the benefit of quail, deer, turkey, and other wildlife species. There are about 15 different WHIP practices that are available, and they range from native grasses, forest openings planted to perennial food plots/native grass, tree/shrub hedgerows and field borders, wetland restoration, perennial food plots, prescribed burning, as well as others that may fit your management goals.

Our first signup period has started, and it will end on January 15, with our first round of contracts being selected by mid-February. These are federal contracts, and they typically last from 2-5 years in length.

If you are interested in signing up, you can contact any of our local NRCS/USDA offices in your county for additional information as well as a program application.

I've posted some of the information on our website that is available for the WHIP program. This is 2009 information, but it will remain about the same for the upcoming year.

WHIP Program

Chris Wolkonowski
NRCS Area Biologist

 

[richmanbarbeque]

Thank you for posting this, I appreciate it.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

I applied last year, and got a call back about it but was told I needed to plant NWSG to be put on up on the priority list. Being as how NWSG wouldnt accomplish anything on my land, I denied. The family that owns many thousands of acres here ended up with the vast majority of the funding and of course got the Wildlife award for the county, even though they have actually hurt the wildlife in this county more than anyone with strip mines,invasive plant and animal introduction, and developments. Go figure. I figure if thats how it goes with the buddy system then Ill just foot all the bill myself.

 

[Tree Tramp]

I got accepted a few years back and it has been a great experience. Cant possibly say enough positive things about that program and its people. We got the wildlife award for our county and we dont have ANY pull. lol

 

[Quailman]

Steven, yes, native grasses are a "priority practice", but with the funding levels we had last year, it really didn't matter what wildlife practices you wanted because we funded virtually every application for WHIP in 2009. Our initial funding level was fairly low, but we received additional money later in the year which helped us fund more applications.

We definintely don't work by the "buddy system" and being a federal agency, we are under tight scrutiny as to how we spend our conservation dollars (you honestly can't imagine). I don't want you to feel like you've been slighted, so feel free to send me your plan for the property and what you would like to do, and I will make sure that your application is added to the list for consideration if we have practices that fit your needs. All of our programs are based on a ranking system (as far as who gets funded), and it's based on the types of wildlife practices that you want to do.

Right now our funding levels are lower than last year, but we will be requesting additional money from our national headquarters if we have a backlog of applications that need to be funded. You can send me a pm as well if you want to discuss.

 

[richmanbarbeque]

Is there consultants that recommend what programs work best for you? What is he best way to go forward with this?

 

[megalomaniac]

Started the process last year and the paperwork was so God-awful, that I just spent the money myself to put in my wildlife plots

Still, if one had plans for tens of thousands of dollars in improvements, it would be worth the paperwork mire to get the assistance.

Even if the money isn't there, the NRCS guys are a valuable resource for information of how to best improve your land.

 

[Quailman]

Is there consultants that recommend what programs work best for you? What is he best way to go forward with this?

Normally the way it works is that you contact our local office (or me) to set up an appointment. One of our biologists (normally me) will meet with you at your property and help develop a wildlife plan that is based on your own management goals as well as potential programs that may be available to provide financial assistance.

The first step in the process, if you are considering programs, is to stop by the local USDA Service Center for your county (Perry County is serviced by the Centerville Office in Hickman County) and meet with the Farm Services Agency representative to register your farm with USDA. Everyone that is enrolled in programs is given a customer ID. Bring a copy of your property deed as well as a platt map (or aerial photo) showing the property boundaries. If you have never worked with USDA, then there will be some initial paperwork to fill out as well. As Mega mentioned, the paperwork can seem cumbersome at first, but we have employees to help walk you through the process.

After that is completed, a farm visit is scheduled, and we can help develop a plan. What I would recommend is to visit our website and read over the WHIP program to see if there are wildlife practices that will fit your property. If there are, then you can sign an application form and we can assist with programs. If not, then we can provide technical assistance as well to help you get started.

 

[PickettSFHunter]

Well they had me do the paperwork, and I got a farm number. FSA did the map. The NCRS guy here just didnt seem that interested. Never even set up this appointment and plan deal, just called one time and asked about the NWSG. Never even saw the property. Oh well lol