<County> Local Work Group<Date>

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Location, KansasYour.Name@ks.usda.gov

www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov

Helping People Help the Land

Attachment 3 to Bulletin KS300-12-56 dated 7/30/2012

Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 Preparation

The state conservationist (STC) is seeking local work group (LWG) recommendations for Farm Bill Programs:

Resource concerns to be addressedEligible practices to be offeredPayment rates (e.g., 50 percent or 75 percent cost share)Ranking criteria to be considered

The STC is accepting comments to be forwarded to national headquarters (NHQ) for Landscape Initiatives

FY 2013 Preparation

Cut–Off DatesEnvironmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) General―November 16, 2012Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) dates to be announcedWildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) dates not yet knownInitiative dates to be announced

Farm Bill Programs

Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP)This program may not be combined with others in the new Farm BillKansas has four approved AWEP Proposals

CSPEQIPWHIP

This program may be combined with EQIP in the new Farm Bill

AWEP

AWEP2012 Preliminary Accomplishments

59 applications received—includes cancelled, ineligible, and pending applications34 contracts approved—all eligible applications were approved$3,716,386 total obligationsOver 5,180 total contracted acres

AWEP Overview

AWEP is used in partnership with state and local government organizationsEach partner determines in their proposal

Eligible PracticesResource ConcernsPayment RatesRanking CriteriaEligible Project Area

CSP

CSP 2012 Preliminary Accomplishments

623 applications received—includes cancelled, ineligible, and pending applications451 contracts approved—all eligible applications were approved$11,310,078 total obligationsOver 858,622 total contracted acres

CSP Overview

The CSP began in 2009 with the first contracts being obligated in FY 2010The purpose of this program is for producers to address resource concerns by

Completing new conservation practicesImproving, maintaining, and managing existing conservation activities

Annual enhancement payments are offered and vary according to the signup

CSP Overview

CSP is a nationally managed program which means suggestions are accepted but the following are predetermined by the agency when the program is announced

Eligible EnhancementsResource ConcernsPayment RatesRanking Criteria

Landscape Initiatives

Landscape Initiatives

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) nationally offered eight different initiatives that Kansas took part in to address specific resource concerns in FY 2012

Landscape Initiatives

Missouri River Corridor Cover Crop Initiative—EQIPNational Water Quality Initiative—EQIPOgallala Aquifer Initiative—EQIPOn-Farm Energy Initiative—EQIPOrganic Initiative—EQIPSeasonal High Tunnel Initiative—EQIPWorking Lands for Wildlife—WHIPLesser Prairie-Chicken—EQIP and WHIP

Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW)

WLFW2012 Preliminary Accomplishments

53 applications received—includes cancelled, ineligible, and pending applications25 contracts approved—all eligible applications approved$741,854 total obligations Approximately 20,902 total contracted acres

WLFW2012 Overview

2012 was the first year and funding was provided through the WHIPIt is an effort between the NRCS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that leverages capabilities and resources and targets assistance where it is most neededThere were only seven species targeted, and in Kansas the Lesser Prairie-Chicken was selected and the eligible area was determined by a multi-state group (Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas)

WLFWRecommendations

Comments or recommendations for resource concerns, eligible practices, payment rates, and ranking criteria that we could take forward to the multi-state group?

EQIP

EQIP2012 Preliminary Accomplishments

3,074 applications received (includes all ranking categories and initiatives)998 contracts approved$19,177,835 total obligations237,388 total contracted acres

EQIP Overview

60 percent of funds must be obligated to address livestock–related issuesKansas has 12 different ranking categories under general EQIP that offer financial assistance to address various resource concernsConservation plans received prior to August 31 receive bonus points

EQIP Ranking Categories

Conservation Activity Plans contracts are available for the development of the following:

Comprehensive Nutrient Management PlanNutrient Management PlanIrrigation Water Management

EQIP General Ranking Categories

Forestland HealthGrazing Lands HealthLivestock WasteSedimentation Above Federal Reservoirs

TribalWater Quality/Cropland HealthWater Quantity/Quick Response Areas (QRA)Water QuantityWildlife Habitat

NOTE: EQIP and WHIP are combined in the draft Farm Bill

EQIPGeneral Ranking Categories

The STC requests input for the followingEligible PracticesResource Concerns

Primary Resource ConcernsSecondary Resource Concerns

Payment RatesRanking Criteria

Non-Discrimination Statement

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex (including gender identity and expression), marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs, genetic information, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).