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Lower Elkhorn NRD Develops No-till Planting Incentives
Are you interested in getting paid to no-till up to a quarter section of your land? The Lower Elkhorn
Natural Resources District, along with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Cooperative
Extension Service, have developed a no-till incentives program for area producers. The program pays $10 per acre
for five years, provides guidance, a network of support, and the chance to experience the benefits of no-till.
"It is our most cost effective conservation practice," stated Dan Gillespie, Madison County NRCS soil
conservation technician. Gillespie continued, "With a no-till system, you can achieve results equal to or greater
than terracing."
A no-till system gets its start at harvest time. Sign up now to become a part of the no-till program. The sign up
period begins January 4, 1999. Contact your Natural Resources Conservation Service office for more information
LANDS FOR CONSERVATION
The Lands for Conservation program provides landowners with an incentive to get conservation structures
constructed on the land during the growing season.
1. The Lands for Conservation program will be on contractual basis between the landowner (cooperator) and the
Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District for one year while conservation practices are being established.
Applications will be accepted beginning in January at your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
office.
2. Terraces with grassed waterways and terraces with tile outlets qualify for this program. Terraces and
waterways must be seeded during the contract period.
3. NRCS personnel will design terraces with waterways or tile drains. These practices must protect the entire
field on which they are established. However, the area under contract will be the smallest practical area to
encompass the practices, as agreed upon with the cooperator.
4. Land in ACR (annual conservation reserve) acres may not be included in Lands for Conservation contracts.
5. Terraces with waterways or tile outlets may be cost-shared through the EQIP program administered by Farm
Services Agency (FSA). If these funds are not available or if the total cost is too high, cost-sharing assistance
can be obtained through the Lower Elkhorn NRD's Conservation Cost-Share Program.
6. Participating landowners have one of two options with this program:
Option 1 -- Construction must be done between April 1 and July 31. NRCS personnel and the contractor will
determine the area needed for terrace construction prior to planting time and the landowner will leave that
ground idle (except for cover crop) all summer. Payment of $75 per acre will be made on the area which will be
disturbed during construction.
Option 2 -- Construction must be done between April 1 and September 15. The field must be available for
construction by August 1. The field may be planted to cover or a crop preceding or after construction. The crop
or cover may be harvested or pastured during the contract period. Payment is $50 per acre.
7. Land under this contract must be farmed on the contour. If used for permanent pasture after the contract
period, money received through this program must be returned. Land can be used for hayland as a normal part of
the crop rotation.
8. If ownership of land changes during the contract period, the contract becomes void. The new owner may continue
the contract, if agreed to with the Lower Elkhorn NRD.
9. The application period is January 1 through April 1. Approval of contracts will begin February 1 on a rotating
basis.
10. Land contracted must be part of an NRCS developed conservation plan for the entire farm and must require
terraces to meet the permissible soil loss under the Nebraska Erosion and Sediment Control Act. A conservation
system must also be carried out.
11. The landowner will contract for the construction of terraces, waterways, tile outlets and any other necessary
construction.
12. Terraces, waterways and tile outlets must be maintained for 10 years or as long as the current owner has
control of the land, whichever is less.
For more information e-mail Julie Wragge,
Information/Education Coordinator for
the Lower Elkhorn NRD, or call her at 402-371-7313.
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