Conservation Incentive programs...

I talked with Adam Dowling last week. He is a District Conservationist and he had some info regarding some conservation incentive programs. Here is the info that might help you:

Conservation Security Program Signup April 18-May 16
Farmers in the Milwaukee River Watershed may be eligible for the Conservation Security Program in 2008. Sign up for CSP April 18-May 16, 2008,

CSP offers financial incentives to reward the conservation, protection, and improvement of soil, water, air, energy, plant and animal life, on private working farmlands. The program provides payments for producers who practice good stewardship on their agricultural lands. The program is designed to reward the best conservation stewards in targeted watersheds. In Wisconsin, the average annual payment is $8,000, or about $24/acre/year.

Are you Eligible?
You may be eligible if you...
have cropland, hayland, pasture, vineyards or orchards;
own or have control of this land for the 5-10 year contract period;
share in the risk of producing the crop or livestock on this farm;
use conservation practices on your farm.
Note: Land in Conservation Reserve Program is not eligible. Landowners who cash rent their land are not eligible
How Do You Apply?
Contact the Natural Resources Conservation Service office at the USDA Service Center for your county to set up an appointment to apply for CSP. The application is lengthy and may take several hours to finalize.
Fond du Lac – Adam Dowling (920) 923-3033 x3
Juneau – Brian Briski (920) 386-9999 x3
Sheboygan – Peggy Lane (920) 467-9917 x3
Waukesha – Brandi Richter (262) 547-3754
West Bend – Betsy Gillen (262) 335-4801