Our Programs
The Soil Conservation District in partnership with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) offer several cost-share assistance programs to landowners and operators in Stewart County. You may apply for all programs listed below concerning land in Stewart County within our office.
Agricultural Resources Conservation Fund (ARCF)
The ARCF provides cost-share assistance to Tennessee landowners/operators to install Best Management Practices (BMPs) that reduce agricultural water pollution.
A wide range of BMPs are available for cost-share, from those that curtail soil erosion to those that help to remove pollutants from water runoff from agricultural operations. Some of these programs include alternative watering sources for livestock, cross- fencing, heavy use areas, streambank crossing, etc.
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For more information call our office or click below: https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/conservation/agricultural-resources-conservation-fund_rd.html
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program is a voluntary conservation program that provides financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers through cost- share programs who face threats to soil, water, air and related natural resources on their land. Through EQIP, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) develops contracts with agricultural producers to implement conservation practices to address environmental natural resource problems. Payments are made to producers once conservation practices are completed according to NRCS requirements.
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Persons engaged in livestock or agricultural production and owners of non-industrial private forestland are eligible for the program. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, private non-industrial forestland, and other farm or ranch lands. Persons interested in entering into a cost-share agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for EQIP assistance may file an application at any time.
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For more information call our office or click here:
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/eqip-environmental-quality-incentives
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Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is a voluntary program that encourages agricultural and forestry producers to address resource concerns by (1) undertaking additional conservation activities and (2) improving and maintaining existing conservation systems. CSP provides financial and technical assistance to help land stewards conserve and enhance soil, water, air, and related natural resources on their land.
For more information call our office or click below:
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) provides technical and financial assistance to eligible farmers and ranchers to address soil, water, and related natural resources concerns on their lands in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner. The program provides assistance to farmers and ranchers in complying with Federal, State, and tribal environmental laws, and encourages environmental enhancement. The program is funded through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). CRP is administered by the Farm Service Agency, with NRCS providing technical land eligibility determinations, conservation planning and practice implementation. It encourages farmers to convert highly erodible cropland or other environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover, such as tame or native grass, wildlife plantings, trees, filter strips, or riparian buffers. Farmers receive an annual rental payment for the term of the multi-year contract. Cost sharing is provided to establish the vegetative cover practices.
here:
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/crp-conservation-reserve-program
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