NRCS provides lots of support for projects that improve whole farm management.
In my experience it is very hard to navigate their online platform.
- Key Concept: NRCS support projects within ‘systems‘ or ‘scenarios‘ – you can’t just do a mini-project in isolation of other considerations. You need their whole farm system evaluation.
Look for ‘projects’ they do fund that relates to your goal-
- say you want to install a cover on your manure storage
- to exclude rainwater capture,
- reduce rainwater hauling (labor, fuel, tractor passes on public roads, field compaction)
- increase your herd size (without rainwater, your storage capacity goes up, so herd can increase without adding more storage)
- address odor issues and improve community relations
- avoid SPDES overflow events in the case of extreme precipitation
- then look for ‘associated projects’ that help you build out a whole farm ‘system’
Here are a few steps to get you started – thanks to Paula Bagley – NRCS-NY state engineer.
STEP 1: contact your NRCS agent whenever you want to do a new project on farm.
Contact your local NY NRCS field office: https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app
STEP 2: Get a sense of how much money NRCS currently re-imburses particular project components
For example, for manure cover and flare (based on storage surface area and HU – historically underserved) context, a flexible membrane cover can be re-imbursed between $10 and $20 per square foot in 2024 in NYS under NRCS Code 367:
Note, at this time, it is very Unlikely a manure cover+flare (as a stand alone activity) would qualify under NRCS rules for whole farm management.
STEP 3: Identify “Associated Practices” to understand HOW a particular project you are interested in building, fits within a larger Whole Farm Management planning to address a larger farm sustainability
We all know, fixing one problem without considering other attributes can lead to more problems. To avoid this, NRCS requires their projects to be built in context (e.g. a suite of practices to support a suite of ecosystem services such as water quality, soil health & greenhouse gas mitigation).
- To find associated practices in an NRCS ‘system’ or ‘scenario’
- go back to the first page above, or just click again here: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/getting-assistance/payment-schedules
- This time navigate to and open: “New York Scenarios“
- Then search the document for typical farm issues/operations like “manure” to see “potential associated practices”
- You will find practice 313 Waste Storage Facility
- See screenshot below with blue highlighted areas to see ‘associated practices’ for a whole farm scenario
- For example if you want to build out a new earthen storage facility (NRCS 313) you may also be required to plan for
- Solid Liquid Waste Separation Facility (NRCS 632)
- Roofs and Covers (NRCS 367)
STEP 4. Repeat step 2-3 to find associated re-imbursements and practices with Waste Separation (632)
OTHER relevant NRCS CODES:
- NRCS 313 Waste Storage Facilities
- NRCS 317 Composting Facility
- NRCS 634 Waste Transfer
- NRCS 366 Anaerobic Digestion
Types of items (and rates) that are covered for NRCS 313
SOME NOTES OF CAUTION:
- It’s really important you talk to both your local NRCS agent and your local SWCD agent (and ask them to work together to leverage funding packages).
- Know that your state and federal agents are not supposed to talk to each other (about your farm) for privacy reasons until you notify both agents that you want them to work together and share information on your behalf.
- There is a limit on how much federal funding 1 farm can get in each farm bill period (typically 5 years) so be sure this is your priority project.
- There are a huge array of projects they do fund – ask your NRCS agent to help you find the most appropriate path.
- Getting all the funds (e.g. mixing and matching SWCD, NRCS, FSA grants, cost-shares, reimbursements) to line up and getting all the people to work together is a real task.
- Know that there is a lot of planning when you involve NRCS. Talk to them early in your process!
BEGIN!
1) Contact your local NY NRCS field office: https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app
2) File this simple form 1200 to get a project in the pipeline.
3) When a landowner has a conservation plan, they can then apply for Financial Assistance with NRCS programs. Here is the site that discusses all NRCS programs.
4) Remember, you can do all kinds of things like:
- build south facing roof barns for solar and improved ventilations for livestock
- separate manure solids for bedding (and/or install a manure cover+flare to address odor and GHG)
- improve your N-use efficiency (saving money and reducing N2O – a potent GHG)
- build out an afforestation project, growing trees for your grandkids and sequestering carbon in long-lived wood products
- Get an Energy Audit – save energy and reduce bills
- Already have an audit, then get assistance implementing one of the efficiency measures
- Want to get 3Phase power lines right to your door? (I don’t know if this is possible – but ask!)
- Want to increase your animal feed efficiency – reach out – (there are currently no NRSC Technical Service Providers to help you with a plan, but if you have a Nutrient Management Plan from another provider, you can still apply for assistance).
