保护你的土地 & NRCS的遗产
农场管理资源
Shelter is one of those words that instantly brings to mind a sense of comfort and safety. It can be a physical place or an action to provide protection from the storms of life. 无论哪种情况, people are an essential part of the process as we come together to support one another.
美国农业部的 自然资源保育署 (NRCS) traces its roots back to one of the darkest times for American agriculture when erosion, drought and poor farming practices churned up severe windstorms that turned the Great Plains into the Dust Bowl. In the wake of this crisis, Congress established the 土壤保持十博官网手机版官网下载 (SCS) to spearhead a nationwide effort to restore and maintain healthy and productive lands.
The agency has continued helping people help the land for 85 years, changing our name in the process to reflect a broader role in natural resource protection. 在那个时候, we have helped protect millions of acres through our unique relationship with conservation partners and private landowners.
一切从计划开始
If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there. People make plans for everything from vacations to retirements, so they can be prepared and get the results they desire. 同样的原理也适用于自然守恒.
NRCS与客户共同开发 保护计划 to better manage the natural resources on all types and sizes of operations. The nine-step planning process helps ensure that each landowner reaches his or her desired destination.
- Do you have bare areas in your fields or pastures that are subject to erosion? We might suggest a suite of practices like no-till, cover crops or prescribed grazing to keep the soil covered.
- Are your cattle drinking from streams because they have no other water sources nearby? Fencing and an alternative watering system might be the answer for you.
- Are you interested in establishing or restoring habitat for wildlife? 我们可以推荐一些植物来吸引 传粉者 or establishing stream-side buffers to improve water quality for aquatic species.
- Would you like to better manage your forest land? 规定的燃烧, thinning and new tree establishment could be included in your forest management plan.
协同保护
Your local district conservationist will schedule a visit to observe your operation, assess resource concerns and discuss opportunities you’d like to explore in your customized conservation plan. He or she will then work with you to develop site-specific recommendations for practices that will offer the best return on your investment.
系统方法
Though all the steps work together as part of an overall system, the two most important components are the landowner’s goals and objectives and identifying resource concerns that may present potential barriers. Conservation systems not only help agricultural operations be more efficient, productive and profitable but also shelter landowners from off-site impacts, help them comply with environmental regulations and protect their eligibility for most USDA programs, 包括 农作物保险.
制定计划
Once you’re satisfied with the strategy you have developed with your NRCS conservationist, 你要在文件上签字，把它付诸实施. 你的计划将包括练习时间表, specifications and implementation requirements which will serve as an important reference throughout the journey.
当你准备好继续的时候, NRCS can provide cost estimates for recommended practices and outline financial assistance that may be available to you. (注意: 生产者必须与食品药品监督管理局建立记录 农场十博官网手机版官网下载局 才有资格参加我们的项目.)
NRCS accepts applications year-round but makes funding decisions at specific times. 核心项目的截止日期，比如 环境质量奖励计划 (EQIP), 保育管理计划 (CSP)和 农业保护地役权计划 (ACEP)名单，每年公布一次. Agricultural producers may also have opportunities to submit applications through 区域保护伙伴计划 (RCPP)或 保育创新补助金 (CIG)授予合作伙伴的项目.
NRCS reviews all applications received and prioritizes them according to national, state and local resource concerns and the environmental benefits the conservation practices will provide. 农民开始, veterans and historically underserved applicants qualify for additional ranking points or separate fund pools. Those who sign contracts receive additional instructions along with the completed conservation plan, which includes job sheets containing the standards and specifications to complete the practice(s) in a specific time frame.
你的长期环保伙伴
Good stewardship requires an enduring commitment and the NRCS is with you for the long haul. Our technical staff provide free training and direct technical assistance to farmers and partners throughout Virginia. We also offer a variety of tools and resources to help you in your journey. 联系你的 当地红十字会办事处 了解更多.
有用的资源
作者: 芭芭拉·鲍文, 国家公共事务专员, Virginia USDA 自然资源保育署; PH: 804-287-1679, 电子邮件:芭芭拉.bowen@usda.政府
照片信息
The no-till corn photo is provided courtesy of the Virginia No-Till Alliance (VANTAGE)
其他图片均为美国农业部自然资源管理委员会的照片