Technical
Welcome to the Technical page!
If you require additional assistance, please contact Raquel Baker, District Conservation Technician, at 765-373-9542 or raquel.baker@in.nacdnet.net.
Control of Canada Thistle in CRP and Other Noncrop Acreage (Purdue Extension Publication):
How Farmers can Fight Floods and Droughts:
Soil Testing Contacts:
Cover Crop Information:
USDA Program Information:
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
Photo: Newly constructed grassed waterway & concrete toewall structure
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a land conservation program administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) providing technical land eligibility determinations and conservation planning. The Wayne County SWCD assists FSA and NRCS with the program, as well. 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 are 10-15 years in length. The long-term goal of the program is to re-establish valuable land cover to help improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and reduce loss of wildlife habitat.
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
Photo: Filter Strip
The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a partnership program between the Indiana USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA). It is a natural resource conservation program aimed at addressing water quality and wildlife issues by reducing sediment and nutrient runoff in watersheds and enhancing wildlife habitats for State and Federally listed threatened and endangered species and other wildlife.
CREP is designed to help alleviate some of the concerns of high nonpoint source sediment, nutrient, pesticide and herbicide losses from agricultural lands by restoring buffers and wetlands to improve water quality. The program works with landowners and farmers to set-aside environmentally sensitive agricultural land and frequently flooded croplands. Through CREP, program participants receive financial incentives to voluntarily enroll in the program in contracts of 14 to 15 years.
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
Photo: Cover Crop
The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is a voluntary program that encourages agricultural producers to improve conservation systems by improving, maintaining, and managing existing conservation activities and undertaking additional conservation activities. The Natural Resources Conservation Service administers this program and provides financial and technical assistance to eligible producers. CSP is available on Tribal and private agricultural lands and non-industrial private forestland (NIPF) on a continuous application basis.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Photo: Spring Development w/ concrete stock tank and heavy use area pad.
Administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary program assisting local ag producers and landowners in promoting high standards in agricultural production and environmental quality. With the EQIP program, producers and landowners may receive financial and technical assistance to implement structural and management conservation practices that optimize environmental benefits on working agricultural land.