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Environmental Planning

NRCS Involvement in Environmental Planning

The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) is involved in the delivery and implementation of federal and state programs that provide technical and financial assistance to address environmental and conservation issues and opportunities associated with animal feeding operations. Participation in these programs on the part of the owners of private lands is voluntary. Federal conservation programs are generally designed to be flexible at the state and local level so that local conservation leadership can better use them to address local conservation and environmental priorities. The establishment and decisions made to implement these programs at the state level are usually made by the NRCS State Conservationist with the assistance and consultation of the State Technical Committee. For more information go to State Technical Committees

Which Programs Apply to My Area?

The best way to learn what programs can apply in your location is to contact the local NRCS District Conservationist. The District Conservationist will be able to explain which programs are being used to address environmental and resource concerns in your area and they will know which programs may be of assistance to you. A good way to the locate your District Conservationist is to go to the following website: USDA Service Center Locator

NRCS Programs for Animal Feeding Operations

The following programs are used to assist in planning and implementing manure management systems for animal feeding operations:

Conservation Technical Assistance Program

The Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) Program provides technical assistance supported by science-based technology and tools to help people conserve, maintain, and improve their natural resources. The CTA Program provides the technical capability, including direct conservation planning, design, and implementation assistance, that helps people plan and apply conservation on the land. The CTA Program is unique because it provides the local delivery system and the foundation technical expertise for other NRCS programs. NRCS’ conservation planning process, locally adapted Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) of proven conservation practices/systems, and technical knowledge is at the core of the effective CTA Program delivery system. Under this program the problems a landowner is having that are associated with manure management systems can be identified, and alternative strategies for addressing these problems can be developed. Once the landowner makes a decision and develops a manure management plan the landowner may take advantage of other programs that provide financial assistance to implement the plan. For more information about the CTA program consult Conservation Technical Assistance

Image courtesy USDA NRCS Source: Bill Boyd, USDA NRCS

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land. EQIP offers contracts with a minimum term that ends one year after the implementation of the last scheduled practices and a maximum term of ten years. These contracts provide financial assistance to encourage producers to implement conservation practices or adopt management practices they may not otherwise use. Persons who are engaged in livestock or agricultural production on eligible land may participate in the EQIP program. EQIP activities are carried out according to an environmental quality incentives program plan of operations developed in conjunction with the producer that identifies the appropriate conservation practice or practices to address the resource concerns. The practices are subject to NRCS technical standards adapted for local conditions. Special provisions are in place to assist limited resource producers and beginning farmers and ranchers. More about EQIP can be found at Environment Quality Incentives Program

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) is a voluntary program intended to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production. Under CIG, Environmental Quality Incentives Program funds are used to award competitive grants to non-Federal governmental or non-governmental organizations, Tribes, or individuals. CIG enables NRCS to work with other public and private entities to accelerate technology transfer and adoption of promising technologies and approaches to address some of the Nation's most pressing natural resource concerns. CIG will benefit agricultural producers by providing more options for environmental enhancement and compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations. More about CIG can be found at Conservation Innovation Grants

Image courtesy USDA NRCS Source: Bill Boyd, USDA NRCS

Agricultural Management Assistance

Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) provides cost-share and incentive payments to agricultural producers to voluntarily address issues, such as water management, water quality, and erosion control by incorporating conservation practices into their farming operations. Producers may construct or improve manure management systems that can address the environmental issues identified by the AMA program. AMA is available in 15 states where participation in the Federal Crop Insurance Program is historically low. They are: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. More about Agricultural Management Asssistance

Farm Pilot Project Coordination (FPPC)

Farm Pilot Project Coordination, Inc. (FPPC), a non-profit organization, was designated by Congress (Public Law 107-76) to assist in implementing innovative treatment technologies to address the growing waste issues associated with animal feeding operations (AFOs). FPPC’s objective is to foster the conservation, development and wise use of land, water, and related resources, while providing AFOs with opportunities for profitable operation. FPPC’s specific mandate is to oversee the implementation and administration of a Pilot Project Program to demonstrate economically viable innovative treatment technology systems that reduce the nutrient content of the waste stream from AFOs by 75 percent or greater. Funding for approved Pilot Projects comes from monies appropriated by Congress and overseen by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), a division of the United States Department of Agriculture. More about Farm Pilot Project Coordination

Section 319 Funds

Section 319 of the Clean Water Act established a grant program to assist in nonpoint source pollution mitigation efforts. 319 funds are provided only to designated state and tribal agencies to implement their approved nonpoint source management programs. States, territories, and tribes receive grants which support a variety of activities, including: technical assistance, financial assistance, technology transfer, and demonstration projects. Section 319 of the Clean Water Act is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). States have the opportunity to include financial assistance for manure management systems in their applications and some have done so. The local District Conservationist will know if 319 funds are available for manure management systems in their district. More about Section 319

NRCS Online Resources

In addition to financial and technical program assistance NRCS has technical manure management information on line that can be useful in planning and implementing manure management systems. Some of the information on line is described below:

• Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning Technical Guidance is a good source for technical guidance for Comprehensive Nutrient Management Planning (CNMP).
• Nutrient & Pest Management list a number of sites and tools that are useful in planning a manure management system.
• NRCS is the location where you can find the NRCS Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook, and the chapters of the National Engineering Handbook that discuss Composting and Constructed Wetlands.

A series of Animal Nutrient Management Technical Notes are available at the following sites:

• The effect of Diet and Feeding Management on Nutrient Content of Manure
• Feed and Animal Management for Beef Cattle
• Feed and Animal Management for Swine (Growing and Finishing Pigs)
• Feed and Animal Management for Poultry
• Feed and Animal Management for Dairy Cattle
• Nitrogen Efficiency and Management
• Reducing the Risk of E. coli 0157:H7 Contamination
• “Biomass Energy – An Analysis of Energy Production Costs from Manure Anaerobic Digestion Systems on U.S. Livestock Production Facilities”is a recent publication.

Author: Bill Boyd, Leader, USDA NRCS Animal Manure Management Team