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Sign-up to Protect Grassland by March 10, 2010
MORGANTOWN, WV, February 24, 2010–West Virginia landowners interested in restoring, enhancing or protecting grasslands may receive funding through the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP).
Landowners must have their applications submitted to their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or Farm Service Agency (FSA) at the local USDA Service Center by close of business on March 10, 2010 to be considered for rental contract funding this year.
The Grassland Reserve Program has a continuous signup period. Applications accepted after March 10, 2010 will not be ranked until the next ranking period is announced. NRCS and FSA have Service Centers throughout the state to help landowners with the application process.
GRP provides financial assistance to producers in the form of rental agreements and easements. GRP provides funding to purchase conservation easements, long term rental agreements and offers landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance the grasslands on their property. The program emphasizes support for working grazing operations, enhancement of plant and animal biodiversity, and protection of grassland and land containing shrubs and forbs under threat of conversion.
For GRP, the 2008 Farm Bill provides priority for enrollment of expiring acreage from the Conservation Reserve Program (GRP) and is limited to 10 percent of the total acres enrolled in any year. Eligible lands can be enrolled into a permanent easement or a rental contract of 10, 15, or 20 years. Restoration agreements based on a 50 percent cost-share may be placed on land enrolled under a rental contract or easement. Easements compensation is based on the Geographic Area Rate Cap or on an offer made by the landowner whichever is less.
NRCS encourages landowners who are interested in this voluntary program to contact their local USDA Service Center/FSA/NRCS Field Office today to apply. Additional information on GRP and other conservation programs is available on the Web at www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov. You may also contact Pam Yost, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, at 304-284-7572 or pamela.yost@wv.usda.gov.
Carol Lagodich, Public Affairs Specialist
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service,
West Virginia State Office,
1550 Earl Core Road, Suite 200,
Morgantown, WV 26505
304-284-4826, Fax: 304-284-4839
carol.lagodich@wv.usda.gov
http://www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov/
