By Lori Ehde
Now is a good time for local farmers to invest in soil conservation practices, according to Dave Rose, district conservationist with the Luverne field office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
In April, the USDA announced new incentives for landowners to put ground into the Continuous Conservation Program.
The incentives come at a good time, considering erosion from heavy rains has shown where grassed waterways are needed.
"A lot of farmers have gullies, and I think practices like filter strips and waterways are a great way to heal these up," Rose said.
"I don't think most people realize what a great deal these are."
The incentives are offered as part of the National Conservation Buffer Initiative, which seeks to establish 2 million miles of buffers across the United States by 2002.
Buffer practices include filter strips, riparian forest buffers, grassed waterways, field windbreaks, shelter belts and living snow fences.
Incentives to participate in the Continuous CRP include:
oAn up-front signing bonus of $100 to $150 per acre at the start of the contract to help defray costs for buffer practices.
oCost-share and incentive payments that result in up to 90-percent reimbursement for the establishment costs of buffer practices.
oUSDA will pay the landowner rental for the acreage enrolled. Rental rates in Rock County can be up to $140.60 per acre per year.
The program and its incentives are available through the end of September, and Rose advises landowners to sign up soon.
"You never know with the next farm bill if these incentives will exist," Rose said. "These practices are really the best thing for Rock County and for individual landowners."
To sign up, or for more information, contact Rose, 283-8685, ext. 3, or Roger Carlson of the Farm Service Agency, 283-2369.