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Putting New Farm Bill Programs to Work for Producers
Bridget HolcombAssociate Policy Director
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
Outline
• Conservation Stewardship Program
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative
• Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
• Value Added Producer Grants
• Other resources
Conservation Stewardship Program
“You’re saving your soil, you’re costs are cheaper, and you’re going to make more money in the end. You’re a fool not to be in this program.” Bob Bernier
Conservation Stewardship Program
• For farmers and private forest land owners
• Rewarded for existing conservation practices and new practices
• 5 year contract with NRCS
• Payments – cropland or pastureland: $10 to $40 per acre– forest land: $2 to $24 per acre– capped at $40,000 per year
• Long application!
Conservation Stewardship Program
Previous On-Farm Conservation Practices:
• Same-day incorporation of applied manure and compost
• Cover crops• Shrub rows for beneficial
insect habitat• Waste oil recycling
Conservation Improvements through CSP:
• Pasture diversity • Habitat for beneficial insects
and wildlife
“We try to continually take on little conservation projects, and CSP gives us that extra push to get us going.” Richard de Wilde
Conservation Stewardship Program
Photo by Agri-View
“It’s about protecting the environment for the next generation. My dad did that for me, and I want to do that for my kids. Establishing good conservation is the right thing to do.” Randy Schmidt
Previous On-Farm Conservation Practices:
• Minimum-till and no-till• Minimum residue
application• Gypsum soil amendment
to reduce runoff
Conservation Improvements through CSP:
• Crop tissue sampling for nitrogen
• Variable rate technology for planting and nutrient management
Conservation Stewardship Program
Resources:
• http://www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp/cstp.html
• Local NRCS office
EQIP Organic Initiative
• EQIP now has an organic provision• Both existing organic farmers and those transitioning to
organic • Cost share for organic conservation practices
– 75% cost share– 90% for socially disadvantaged farmers and beginning farmers
• $20,000/yr cap, total cap of $80,000 over six years• For more information:
– Pat Murphy, 608-662-4422 x 258 [email protected]– Matt Otto 608-662-4422 x245 [email protected]
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
• For more information:– www.sare.org– Diane Mayerfeld, 608.262.8188
Value Added Producer Grants
Sassy Cow Creamery: working capital for a small, start-up organic and conventional milk processor and bottler project
Value Added Producer Grants
Deirdre Birmingham: feasibility study leading to the development of the business, operations, and marketing plans necessary to successfully produce and market hard apple cider in the Southern Wisconsin region.
Value Added Producer Grants
Agrecol: working capital to add value to native seeds by processing them into branded mixtures.
Value Added Producer Grants
• What is a value added product?– Changed in physical state– Organic crops– Grass-fed livestock– Locally produced and marketed foods– Mid-tier value chains
• Up to $100,000 for business plans and feasibility studies
• Up to $300,000 for working capital• Long application!
…and one Wisconsin ProgramBuy Local Buy Wisconsin Program• Grants up to $50,000 to connect
Wisconsin producers with Wisconsin consumers
• Wisconsin Local Food Marketing Guide: a step by step guide for local food producers interested in entering local food markets
• datcp.state.wi.us/mktg/business/marketing/val-add/directmktg/blbw.jsp; [email protected] or call Teresa Engel at 608-224-5101
Resources
• Agricultural Innovation Center
fyi.uwex.edu/aic/
• Building Sustainable Places guide attra.ncat.org/guide/
Grassroots Guide to the Farm Bill http://sustainableagriculture.net/publications/grassrootsguide/
Bridget Holcomb
Associate Policy Director
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute
608-256-1859
