Money released for Alaska farms

PALMER -- Agriculture Undersecretary Mark Rey recently announced the release of nearly $1.5 billion in funding for conservation programs on working lands this fiscal year. The money is being administered by the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Recent allocations include $1.2 billion in financial assistance and $305 million for technical assistance for a variety of NRCS programs and services. At least $30 million of the technical assistance funds will be used for technical service providers.

Almost $10 million of this money will be heading in Alaska's direction, according to Shirley Gammon, NRCS Alaska state conservationist.

"This funding will provide positive applications of sound conservation on the ground -- at the local level -- on Alaska's privately owned lands," Gammon said.

NRCS' offices in Alaska will now begin writing contracts with private landowners across the state. These contracts will help to advance the many backlogged USDA projects to maintain clean soil, water and air.

Among the NRCS programs in Alaska to benefit from the new funds are the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection program, the Grasslands Reserve Program, and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program. These programs are primarily voluntary; private landowners sign individual contracts with NRCS officials to design and maintain conservation practices on their lands.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program received slightly more than $7 million from NRCS. EQIP grants farmers contracts, lasting a maximum of 10 years, that provide incentive payments for conservation practices on public lands. Growers engaged in both livestock and agricultural farming may take advantage of these funds.

The Farm and Ranch Lands Protection program received more than $1 million from NRCS. This program matches funds spent for purchasing developing rights on land. These rights help to keep farm and ranchland productive for agricultural uses. Using these funds, the USDA acquires conservation easements or other interests in land, providing up to 50 percent of the fair market easement value for the land.

The Grassland Reserve program received roughly half a million dollars from NRCS. The GRP offers landowners opportunities to preserve, restore and improve existing grasslands on their property. This helps to conserve vulnerable grasslands while still developing effective ranching solutions. The GRP also helps to develop low-impact ranching and other methods of grassland conservation.

Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program is a program for maintaining existing wildlife habitat on private farmland. Technical advice and assistance is provided by this program, as well as up to 75 percent cost-sharing allowances for farmers who choose to participate. WHIP programs typically last between five and 10 years from the date of signing.

"These funds demonstrate the Department of Agriculture's commitment to working lands and to maintaining high environmental stewardship in communities across the nation," Rey said. "The Department of Agriculture remains committed to providing the conservation tools and resources to ensure that the land remains both healthy and productive."

Valley farmers and private landowners wishing to apply for one of these contracts should contact Mark Weatherstone at (907) 761-7757. More information can be found on the NRCS Web site at www.ak.nrcs.usda.gov.