Financial aid for south fork republican river watershed producers

Kris R. Ethridge, Acting State Conservationist of the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, has announced a new opportunity for producers in the South Fork Republican River watershed in Cheyenne County, under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

The Cheyenne County Conservation District and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks are leading a project funded by the USDA Regional program, RCPP-SFRR, to provide financial assistance to landowners along the SFRR to address environmental issues like plant pest pressure.

Ethridge's program focuses on brush management strategies, specifically removing invasive species like Russian olive, salt cedar, and eastern red cedar trees in rangeland areas. It may fund alternative water sources and prescribe grazing practices to achieve environmental goals.

Applications for the RCPP-SFRR are accepted on a rolling basis, with the ACT NOW funding process allowing for expedited review and approval. This approach ensures a quicker contract process for participants.

The deadline to apply for fiscal year 2024 funding is April 19, 2024. Applications will be assessed, ranked, and processed in the order they are received, with preapproval based on funding availability and meeting the threshold ranking score, set at zero points for this period.

Ethridge highlights the ACT NOW funding process's efficiency, emphasizing its ability to reduce the typical waiting times associated with conservation programs. This will enable high-ranking applicants to start implementing necessary conservation practices promptly.

Producers interested in learning more about NRCS programs or applying for them can contact their local USDA Service Center. They can manage conservation plans, contracts, and access maps through their farmers.gov account, which they are encouraged to set up if they haven't already.

The USDA, under the Biden-Harris administration, is transforming the US food system by promoting resilient local and regional food production, fair markets, nutritious food access, climate-smart practices, rural infrastructure investments, and equity.

Photo Credit: usda