Cost Share programs
There are so many fantastic programs, ripe for the picking, and we want you to know about them!
NRCS/FSA
Programs
State & District Programs
CSP Conservation Stewardship Program -
The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps to build on existing conservation efforts while strengthening the operation. Whether you are looking to improve grazing conditions, increase crop resiliency, or develop wildlife habitat, the NRCS can custom design a CSP plan to help you meet those goals. Many producers in McLean County have used this program to enhance resiliency to weather and market volatility, decrease need for agricultural inputs, and improve wildlife habitat conditions.
EQIP Environmental Quality Initiative Program -
Through EQIP, NRCS provides agricultural producers with financial resources and one-on-one help to plan and implement improvements, or what NRCS calls conservation practices. Using these practices can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil, and better wildlife habitat. All of these practices improve agricultural operations. Through EQIP, you can voluntarily implement conservation practices, and NRCS co-invests in these practices with you.
CRP Conservation Reserve Program -
CRP is a land conservation program administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). In exchange for a yearly rental payment, farmers enrolled in the program agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that will improve environmental health and quality. Contracts for land enrolled in CRP range between 10 and 15 years in length. The long-term goal of the program is to re-establish valuable land cover that will help improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and reduce loss of wildlife habitat.
OHF Tree Planting Initiative -
The Outdoor Heritage Fund will pay up to 75% of tree planting, fabric laying, and tree tube installation if the planting meets certain criterial. A 2,500 foot minimum is required, preference given to wildlife or farmstead plantings.
Contact: Charlie Kelly (701) 448-2377
Forest Service Windbreak Renovation -
The North Dakota Forest Service (NDFS) Windbreak Renovation Initiative (WRI) offers technical and financial assistance to private windbreak owners statewide to restore, protect and enhance their deteriorating windbreaks. Many of North Dakota’s important forest resources are in need of maintenance, but not all of them are eligible for WRI. For WRI, a windbreak is defined as a system of multiple rows of trees and shrubs primarily designed and engineered to modify the flow of wind.
This program helps cost share both the removal of the old trees and replanting of a new windbreak.
Contact: Noah Schaeffer (701) 683-4323
Grazing Resiliency in the Bakken -
Grazing Resiliency in the Bakken (GRB) provides landowners and ranchers the opportunity to increase their water supplies to livestock and implement fencing for rotational grazing systems to provide future drought resiliency. Water and fence developments will follow the NRCS Office Tech Guidelines for Allowable Cost.
Fencing will be provided to landowners at 60% cost-share payment based on NRCS cost-share payment rates. Water developments will use NRCS rates for agreement development but will pay 60% cost-share based on actual costs. The landowners will provide the remaining 40% cost-share on both fence and water.
Other Cost Share Programs
Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever -
This organization has funding options available for Cover Crops, Perennial Cover, Pollinator Plantings,
and Water & Fence Development.
Contact: Warren Swenson, NW/NC ND Precision Ag. & Conservation Specialist for more info. at (701) 891-1803 or wswenson@pheasantsforever.org
ND Game & Fish Department -
The ND G&F has several programs that assist Landowners and Producers through their Meadowlark Initiative. For more information of these programs, Contact: Ryan Huber - Private Lands Biologist at (701)-527-8963 or click on the link below.
ND Department of Agriculture -
The North Dakota Department of Agriculture implements programs as needed throughout the year.
Ducks Unlimited - GEPP -
A project funded by ND OHF in partnership with Ducks Unlimited and North Dakota Natural Resources Trust. This project provides grazing incentives for state school trust and public land lessees.
Contact: Dane Buysse (701) 425-4852