Conservation Priority Report Louisiana

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Helping People Help the Land

8.5.2011
Protecting Resources . Increasing Production
Your Best Tool: A Conservation Plan
A conservation plan is a tool designed to help farmers and ranchers better manage the natural resources on their farms and ranches.  A conservation plan helps farmers and ranchers protect the soil and increase productivity, improve water quality, improve soil fertility, manage soil moisture, protect the value of the land for future generations, position the farm or ranch to comply with environmental regulatory requirements, and enhance eligibility for USDA farm programs.

How is a Conservation Plan developed?

1 A Natural Resources Conservation Service conservationist meets with the interested farmer or rancher to evaluate the soil, water, air, plant and animal resources on their farm or ranch and offer several alternatives to address resource concerns.  The NRCS conservationist will provide several alternatives and make some economic comparisons, but the farmer or rancher decides what to implement, when to implement it, and how to implement it.
2 The alternatives selected by the farmer or rancher are recorded in a conservation plan. 
3 A schedule for installation is included in the conservation plan.

Are you interested in developing a Conservation Plan for your farm or ranch?
If you are interested in developing a conservation plan for your farm or ranch or finding out more about available conservation programs, contact your local NRCS office or soil and water conservation district.
 

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

What will the Conservation Plan cost?  Nothing. 
This service is provided by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in cooperation with local soil and water conservation districts.

What will it cost to install the Conservation Practices included on a Conservation Plan?
Some conservation practices selected by a farmer or rancher may require an investment.  Part of the cost of these practices may be shared through federal, state, or local conservation programs.

Commitment to Equality
USDA believes every farmer and rancher should be treated equally and fairly, and we are committed to resolving all cases involving allegations of past discrimination by individuals.

Referral Guide for USDA Settlements and Claims Adjudication Process

Women and Hispanic Farmers and Ranchers Claims Adjudication Process
If you believe that USDA improperly denied farm loan benefits to you for certain time periods between 1981 and 2000 because you are a female or because you are Hispanic, you may be eligible to apply for compensation.  To request a claims package by telephone, call 1-888-508-4429.  To request a claims package online, please visit www.farmerclaims.gov
Native American Farmer and Rancher Class Action Settlement (Keepseagle v. Vilsack)
If you are a Native American who was denied a farm loan or loan servicing by the USDA between January 1, 1981, and November 24, 1999, you may be eligible for benefits from a Class Action Settlement.  To request a claims package by telephone, call:  1-888-233-5506.  To request a claims package online, or for more information, please visit:  www.indianfarmclass.com
African American Farmer and Rancher Class Action Settlement (Pigford II)
If you are an African American farmer (a) who submitted a request to file a late claim on or between October 13, 1999, and June 18, 2008, under the 1999 USDA settlement in the earlier class action known as Pigford v. Glickman ("Pigford") and (b) who did not receive a merits determination on your discrimination claim, you may be eligible for benefits from a Class Action Settlement.  To hear information by telephone, call 1-866-950-5547 or 1-866-472-7826.  To find information online, please visit:  www.blackfarmercase.com
USDA NRCS Access Opportunity Equity Partnerships

To find out more about this conservation opportunity and more, contact your local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service:  Office Locator