USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service FY 2012 Financial Assistance Programs Available for Woodland Owners

1. USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service FY 2012 Financial Assistance Programs Available for Woodland Owners

2. Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) • This program addresses identified natural resource concerns, including those related to forestland such as, Sheet and Rill Erosion, Noxious and Invasive Plants, T&E Declining Plant Species, and many, many more. • This is a “cost-share” program that offers payment rates of 75% and 90% (of the average state cost) to install specific conservation practices. • Some of those practices include:

4. Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) • This program specifically addresses wildlife related resource concerns such as, T&E Declining Species, Inadequate Cover/Shelter, Inadequate Food or Space, Habitat Fragmentation, and others. • This is a “cost-share” program that offers payment rates of 75% and 90% (of the average state cost) to install specific conservation practices. • Some of those practices in addition to the ones listed under EQIP include:

6. WHIP Longleaf Initiative This program focuses specifically on the re-establishment of the native Longleaf Pine ecosystem National Initiative that includes 9 states where Longleaf Pine has a “historic range” Practices offered include: • Tree/Shrub Establishment • Prescribed Burning • Forest Stand Improvement • Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats

7. WHIP Longleaf Initiative • Firebreaks • Tree/Shrub Site Preparation • Forest Trails and Landings • Upland Wildlife Habitat Management • Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management • Early Successional Habitat Development/Mgt. • Access Control • Pest Management • Conservation Cover • Brush Management • Herbaceous Weed Control

9. Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) • This program rewards those landowners that are already practicing good conservation by offering financial assistance to “enhance” existing conservation activities. • This is an “annual payment” program and the rates are calculated based on points that the application receives. • Some of the “enhancements” offered include:

11. Healthy Forest Reserve Program (HFRP) • This program focuses on the restoration and enhancement of forest ecosystems for threatened/endangered species. • In SC, the program focuses on Longleaf Pine Ecosystems and the protection of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker. • This program offers permanent or 30-year easements and 10-year cost share agreements.

13. How do you apply for NRCS programs? STEP 1: Contact your local NRCS District Conservationist and schedule an appointment to begin the conservation planning process. For woodland owners, this means developing a forest management plan (which is a required element for EQIP financial assistance).

15. How do you apply for NRCS programs? STEP 2: Obtain a Farm and Tract number with the Farm Service Agency to become a USDA participant. STEP 3: Complete the necessary application forms including, but not limited to the: CPA-1200– Application Form SF-1199– Direct Deposit Form FSA-211– Power of Attorney (if applicable) CCC-901 or 902– Member’s Information Sheet (if legal entity) CCC-931– Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) AD-1026 - Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetland Determination Form

16. What are the eligibility requirements for NRCS programs ? 1. Must be an individual or legal entity 2. Must have Signature Authority 3. Owner or actively engaged in the management of the agricultural or forestry operation being enrolled. Documented by either of the following: a. Records from FSA to identify owner or operator b. Production of $1,000 in Ag products produced, sold or both. Woodland owners are EXEMPT from this requirement.

17. What are the eligibility requirements for NRCS programs ? 4. Have control of the land 5. Be in compliance with HEL and wetland provisions 6. Meet AGI requirements: a. Non-farm income cannot exceed $1M (unless 66.66% of the total Non-farm and Farm is FARM income) b. Farm income cannot exceed $750,000 7. Be within the appropriate Farm Bill payment limitations ($300,000 over 6 year period of 2009-2014)

18. What are the eligibility requirements for NRCS programs ? 8. Meet Historically Underserved criteria if self-certifying as such to receive the 90% payment rate 9. Have an identified resource concern that may be addressed through the program you are applying for

19. What is “Historically Underserved” Participants meeting one of the three categories of “historically underserved” are eligible for the 90% payment rate. Those are: 1. New/Beginning Farmer – must meet BOTH a. Not operated for more than 10 consecutive years b. Must provide the day-to-day operations (labor)

20. What is “Historically Underserved” 2. Socially Disadvantaged – includes all minority participants 3. Limited Resource Farmer – must meet BOTH a. Gross farm sales of not more than the current indexed value in EACH of the previous 2 years b. Total household income AT or BELOW the national poverty level for a family of four For more information on this designation please go to: http://www.lrftool.sc.egov.usda.gov

21. Obligations in 2010 and 2011 EQIP 2010 – $8 M (about $400,000 in Forestland) 2011 – $8.67 M (about $345,000 in Forestland) WHIP 2010 – $2.2 M ($1.1 M in the Longleaf Initiative) 2011 – $2.7 M ($1.5 M in the Longleaf Initiative) CSP 2010 – $1.1 M in Forestland 2011 – $230,000 in Forestland HFRP 2011 - $950,000

22. Contact Information Kellee Melton, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs kellee.melton@sc.usda.gov 803.765.5681 Shaun Worley, Program Specialist for EQIP, WHIP, HFRP shaun.worley@sc.usda.gov 803.253.3512 Glenn Sandifer, Program Specialist for CSP glenn.sandifer@sc.usda.gov 803.253.3894