Cost Sharing Makes Improvements Possible

Program or Category: Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)

Overview: A Barbour County limited resource farmer has benefited as a result of two EQIP contracts and a CREP contract. In 2003 he was awarded a grazing land contract with EQIP funding that addressed many water developments and several miles of division fence and woodland exclusion fences as well as a stream crossing .He also received funding through the CREP program to fence a riparian area and develop water for livestock. In 2004 he applied for and received an animal waste contract through EQIP to construct a manure stacking facility to store manure from an area where animals are confined through the winter months.

Accomplishments: To date 4140 feet of woodland and stream exclusion fence and 3000 feet of division fence have been constructed resulting in 5 acres of riparian protected and approximately 150 acres of woodland excluded from livestock. Also, two ponds, 1000 feet of pipeline and four troughs have been added to the farm to provide alternative watering sources for the livestock. Lime and fertilizer has also been applied according to soil test recommendations on part of the farm.

Program Benefits to Landowner: The landowner said these are practices he needs but without the cost sharing they would be too costly for him to achieve with in the time frame that the programs have enabled him to do.

The water developments that are completed plus additional ones planned for the future will allow him to divide his fields and manage his pastures more intensely.

Program Benefits to Community: Improved water quality due to stream exclusion fencing.

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