Cost Share Assistance Programs

Written by: Jamie D. Warner

Adapted from a presentation by: Kaitlyn Johnson, Randolph Soil and Water

Many Cooperative Extension offices get phone calls every year about help with funding farm projects such as well drilling, pasture renovation, watering device installation and more.  While Extension can provide valuable technical assistance, it does not have a pool of funds to aid in the installation of any on-farm practices.  For monetary cost share programs, farmers should contact their local Soil and Water Conservation District to see if they qualify for the programs available.  There are three programs that horse owners could potentially be eligible for:  NC Agricultural Cost Share Program (NCACSP), Agricultural Water Resources Assistance Program (AgWRAP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  Below are a few bulleted points on each program.

NC Agricultural Cost Share Program (NCACSP):   

·      The NCACSP helps address nonpoint pollution to improve or protect water QUALITY on Agriculture lands.

·      Eligibility: Landowners or renters of existing agricultural operations that have been operating for MORE THAN three years.

·      Applicants should work with their local Soil and Water Office to develop and approve individual conservation plans that identify the best management practices (BMPs) for their particular operations.  Plan designs should include how to ensure the longevity of the specified BMPs.

·      Applicants could be reimbursed up to 75% of the cost of a predetermined average for each BMP installed.

·      Some projects that could be covered under this program include:  stream exclusion fencing, drinkers with piping or grassed waterways.

·      Depending on the practice you are installing, some specific rules may apply so please consult with your local office before making any decisions.

Agricultural Water Resources Assistance Program (AgWRAP):

·      The AgWRAP is for help installing practices that increase the water capacity or QUANTITY on Agricultural lands.

·      Eligibility: Landowners or renters of an existing agricultural operations that have been operating for MORE THAN three years.

·      Applicants should identify opportunities to increase water use efficiency, availability and storage; implement BMPs to conserve and protect water resources; increase water use efficiency and increase water storage and availability.

·      The Soil and Water Conservation Commission allocated 45% of available BMP funding for district allocations for all approved AgWRAP BMP’s. The remaining 55% will be allocated for new ponds and pond repair/retrofits applications through a competitive regional application process.  Standard reimbursement rates differ by county/district.

·      Projects could include an agricultural pond, agricultural pond cleanout or well installation.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP):

·      The EQIP program is enacted by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) which uses federal dollars to complete projects.  They typically get much greater amounts of funds to disperse and use an application ranking process that is slightly different than Soil and Water.

·      EQIP is a voluntary conservation program that helps producers promote agricultural production and environmental quality by implementing structural and management conservation practices to optimize environmental benefits on working agricultural land.

·      Eligibility:  Agricultural producers and owners of cropland, rangeland, pastureland, non-industrial private forestland and other farm or ranch lands. Socially disadvantaged, beginning and limited resource farmers and veterans could be eligible for an increased payment rate and may receive advance.

·      Practices that could be covered by this program include:  prescribed grazing, grazing management plans, controlled livestock lounging areas, exclusion fencing and more.

If you have any more questions about these programs or any others that you may have heard about, please contact your local Cooperative Extension Agent so that they can get you in contact with the appropriate person.