USDA Announces Cost-Sharing Funding to Control Multiflora Rose and Autumn Olive
on West Virginia Pastureland

MORGANTOWN, WV, Aug. 1, 2006 — USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist, Ronald L. Hilliard, announced awarding of $200,000 to fund cost-sharing to control Multiflora Rose and Autumn Olive on pastureland in West Virginia.

"These grants will develop and strengthen partnerships among private landowners, organizations and state and local governments to prevent the spread of invasive species on our nation's valuable grazing lands," Hilliard said. "Farmers and ranchers take great care of the land and by working together we can maintain this national treasure."

Funding for the grant was provided from NRCS's Conservation Technical Assistance Program through the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI). GLCI is a partnership of individuals and organizations whose objective is to maintain and improve the management, productivity and health of the nation's privately owned grazing land.

This is the first year USDA has offered these grants. West Virginia’s proposal competed with 89 applications from 25 states totaling more than $20 million in requests. Twenty-seven grants, ranging from $50,000 to $300,000, were awarded to fund projects in 20 states. Approved projects will inventory, map, contain or eradicate invasive species affecting grazing lands on a local, watershed, state or regional basis.

Selected through national competition, the approved grant will fund a project to control and manage invasive species. The West Virginia Conservation Agency/State Conservation Committee will provide at least 50 percent of the project cost with non-federal funds and/or in-kind contributions and NRCS will provide technical assistance to landowners.

“This program will help farmers reclaim grazing land,” said Truman Wolfe, West Virginia State Conservation Agency Executive Director. “Cost share assistance will be provided to qualifying farmers who hire a commercial herbicide applicator to treat infestations of this noxious weed.” For more information on The West Virginia Conservation Districts’ Multifora Rose Control Program, go to http://www.wvca.us/news/news_story.cfm?id=580. The cooperating agencies for the delivery of the program are West Virginia Conservation Agency, West Virginia Conservation Districts, West Virginia State Conservation Committee, USDA Farm Service Agency, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

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