NRCS Missouri FY17 Annual Report

Page 1

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service

MISSOURI Annual Report Fiscal Year 2017


Fiscal Year 2017 Annual Report Table of Contents State Conservationist J.R. Flores__________________________________________________ 3 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) �����������������������������������4-5 Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) �����������������������������������������6-7 Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) ���������������������������������8-9 Agriculture Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) ������������������������������ 10-11 Technical Assistance: Partnerships______________________________________________12-13 Technical Assistance: Soil Health_______________________________________________14-15 Technical Assistance: Outreach Efforts___________________________________________16-17 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)_____________________________________________ 18 Watersheds__________________________________________________________________ 19

2


Conserving Natural Resources A Benefit to All Missourians Missouri’s 6.1 million residents all benefit in some way from the work of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Missouri NRCS employees work directly with farmers, ranchers, foresters and other landowners and land users to protect and enhance our soil, water, animals, plants and air. The voluntary efforts we support keep water cleaner and land more productive. In many cases, farmers and ranchers are more profitable as a result. NRCS helps Missouri farmers, ranchers and others by offering a variety of technical and financial assistance. Our work is enhanced by the outstanding partnerships that we have formed over the years. The partnerships have helped take up some of the slack of a shrinking NRCS workforce.

J.R. Flores State Conservationist

The soil health movement is the best thing that has happened in decades to benefit natural resources. No-till, cover crops, and well-managed grazing not only greatly reduces erosion, but improves the health of the soil. The result of healthier soils – less runoff, less erosion, fewer chemicals, reduced flooding, and cleaner water – are the things that NRCS was created to do. Soil health fits nicely with the four priorities of NRCS in Missouri: • • • •

Sound Conservation Planning High Quality Technical Assistance to Customers Increased Conservation Access and Capacity Deliver Farm Bill Programs

NRCS is committed to helping people help the land. We are working hard for the benefit of current residents and future generations.

3


EQIP Environmental Quality Incentives Program The Environmental Quality Incentives Program provides financial and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to plan and implement conservation practices that improve soil, water, plant, animal, air and related natural resources. Fund allocation is based upon Congressional mandates, land-use data and the priority natural resources concerns within states. As a “fix-it” program, EQIP helps farmers voluntarily remedy issues on their land by implementing conservation practices specifically aligned with the participant’s objectives and goals for balancing production and environmental benefit. In FY17, EQIP, one of Missouri NRCS’ most popular programs, saw increases in funds obligated, payments made and implementation rates.

1,400

155,000 1,282

1,200

1,223

1,059

$31

150,000

$30

145,000

1,000

Millions

135,000

600

130,000

400

$28

$27

$26,866,400

125,000

200

$26

120,000

2015

2016

Contracts 4

129,294

$29,082,526

$29

139,268

140,000

800

0

$30,547,556

151,614

2017

115,000

2015

2016

2017

Acres Contracted Information represents both EQIP and RCPP-EQIP

$25

2015

2016

Obligations

2017


Top EQIP Practices of FY17 Percentage of total $30.5 million obligated

20%

For What It’s Worth

$56,303,984

12% increase

EQIP payments and obligations

Cover Crops

in implementation rate of contracts from FY16

EQIP on the Ground in FY17

11%

Terrace/ Underground Outlet

9%

Fence

8%

Kansas City

p

Warrenton

St. Louis

Livestock Pipeline/ Watering Facilities

planted in Missouri -- nearly equaling the size of the Lake of the Ozarks. Cover crops improve soil health, reduce runoff and can increase profitability.

4.6%

High Tunnel

4.6%

Forage and Biomass Planting

3.6%

Forest Stand Improvement

412

livestock operations received EQIP contracts in 2017 covering 49,837 acres of land.

48,043 acres of cover crops were

226 miles of fencing and 214 miles of terraces were

installed in Missouri. Driving that many miles, you could go from St. Louis to Kansas City and back to Warrenton. These practices are effective at reducing soil erosion, improving water quality and improving forage quality while also increasing sustainability.

4.5 football fields

Nearly every eligible high tunnel application in Missouri received funding. If all 119 high tunnels installed in FY17 were put together, it would equal 4.5 football fields. High tunnels extend growing seasons, improve soil health, and provide local sources of fresh produce. 5


CSP Conservation Stewardship Program The Conservation Stewardship Program is the largest private lands conservation program in the nation. It helps agricultural producers maintain and improve their existing conservation activities to enhance natural resources. CSP rewards farmers, ranchers and landowners based on their existing levels of conservation and their willingness to adopt additional conservation activities. Each year, NRCS administers two CSP opportunities: an acre allocation for new contracts and an opportunity for existing participants to extend or renew their contracts for another five years. In FY17, CSP was made more transparent and more flexible to changes in operations. The improved CSP allowed Missouri to maintain approximately 1.6 million acres enrolled in the program.

CSP Land Use in Missouri

2017 New Land Use Acres

2017 Renewal Land Use Acres

2017 Statewide Summary Total Acres

Cropland________________________ 129,397

Cropland_________________________ 50,000 Cropland____________________________ 179,397

Pasture__________________________ 63,552

Pasture__________________________ 48,800 Pasture______________________________112,352

Non-Industrial Private Forest Land ����� 9,484

Non-Industrial Private Forest Land_____ 11,500 Non-Industrial Private Forest Land �������� 20,984

Associated Ag Land__________________ 4,981

Associated Ag Land______________________ 4,981

Farmstead___________________________ 904

Farmstead_______________________________ 904

Missouri’s Most Popular CSP Conservation Activities in 2017 (Acres Planned)

101,450

38,660

74,135

5,745

Cover Crops

6

Conservation Crop Rotations

Wildlife, Pollinator Forage and Biomass Planting and Beneficial Insect Habitat Information represents both CSP and RCPP-CSP


Renewals New

For What It’s Worth

1,588,057

$27,545,101

acres enrolled in CSP

CSP payment and obligations in FY17

Missouri Ranked Top-Five Nationally in FY17

188 Contracts 460 Contracts

1.

Number of Applications Oklahoma �������������������� 1,313

1.

Number of Active Contracts Oklahoma ���������������������4,072

2.

Minnesota �������������������� 1,126

2.

Minnesota ���������������������4,041

3.

Arkansas______________________ 1,115

3.

South Dakota ������������������2,795

4.

Nebraska______________________ 1,039

4.

Arkansas ����������������������2,702

5. MISSOURI �������������� 1,011

5. MISSOURI �������������� 2,648

CSP Ranks Highest Among Federal Programs Acres Enrolled in FY17 in Missouri

110,300 Acres 208,318 Acres

$1.2 Million $2.9 Million

CSP____________ 318,618 EQIP___________ 139,268 ACEP ������������ 3,458 7


RCPP Regional Conservation Partnership Program The Regional Conservation Partnership Program promotes coordination between NRCS and its partners to deliver conservation assistance to landowners. NRCS provides financial and technical assistance through partnership agreements and program contracts. RCPP’s focus on public-private partnerships enables private companies, local communities and other non-government partners a way to invest in efforts to keep land resilient and water clean, and to promote economic growth in agriculture, construction, tourism, outdoor recreation, and other industries. In FY17, the benefits of 12 Missouri RCPP projects continued to be realized. The projects funded, number of contributing partners and total funds contributed through RCPP is making more conservation opportunities available to Missourians.

FY17 RCPP Projects in Missouri

Contracts

Acres

Dollars

MDC’s Glade/Woodland Restoration MDC’s Grassland Bird and Grazing Lands Initiative MDA’s Cover Crops for Soil Health Jackson SWCD’s Urban/Rural Farmers Conservation DNR’s Targeted Watershed Conservation Ducks Unlimited Rice Stewardship 8

22

33,107

$241,259

7

8,379

$185,405

Restoring Glade and Woodland Restoring Glade and Woodland Communities for Threatened Species in the of Communities for Threatened Restoring Glade andOzarks Woodland Species in the Ozarks of Communities for Threatened Species in the Ozark Southeast Missouri Southeast Missouri Southeast Missouri Regional Grassland Bird and Grazing Land Enhancement Initiative Regional Grassland Bird and Grazing Land EnhancementRegional InitiativeGrassland Bird and Grazing Land Enhancement Initiative

11

Cover Crops for Soil Health and Water Quality

13,519

Cover Crops for Soil Health and Water Quality

11

$328,414

Cover Crops for Soil Health and Water Quality

5

$73,234

Northwest Missouri Urban and Rural Farmers United for Conservation Northwest Missouri Urban and Rural Farmers United forNorthwest Conservation Missouri Urban and Rural Farmers United for Conservation

RCPP OMW-EQIP

55

RCPP OMW-EQIP

55,976

RCPP OMW-EQIP

$1,341,324

Rice Stewardship-CSP

17

Rice Stewardship-CSP

10,140

Rice Stewardship-CSP

$92,573


Top RCPP Practices of FY17 Listed by amount planned

11,126 acres

For What It’s Worth

61,321

$6,108,568

RCPP acres contracted since 2015

RCPP obligations since 2015

Cover Crops

240,975 feet Fence

940 acres

Forage and Biomass Planting

12

Number of RCPP projects funded

85,691 feet Livestock Pipeline

110

73

Number of contributing partners

$

$45,180,000 Amount of funds contributed/ leveraged by partners

RCPP Projects by Primary Resource Concerns

Watering Facilities

42,738 feet Terrace

256 acres

Restoration of Habitat for Declining Wildlife Species

Inadequate Habitat Wildlife 6 Projects Water Quality 5 Projects Soil Health 1 Project

362

Number of RCPP program contracts since the program began in 2015. 9


ACEP Agriculture Conservation Easement Program The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands, wetlands and their related benefits.

3,458

3,500

Millions Millions

$ 12 $ 10

1,736

1,638

$8,400,000

$8

1,500 1,000

$6

868

$5,000,000 $3,500,000

$4

500

$2

2014

2015

2016

ACEP Acres Enrolled 10

$17,386,000

$ 14

2,500

0

$ 18 $ 16

3,000

2,000

Top 10 States For ACEP Acres Enrolled in FY17

$ 20

4,000

2017

$0

2014

2015

2016

ACEP Dollars Obligated

2017

1. Arkansas

13,076

2. Montana

10,128

3. Georgia

8,989

4. Louisiana

8,310

5. Mississippi

5,798

6. Florida

5,458

7.

North Dakota

4,415

8. Missouri

3,458

9. Indiana

2,995

10. Illinois

2,860


Wetland Reserve Easement

For What It’s Worth

28

3,458

$17,386,000

2,090 acres

158,963

1,141

restoration easements completed on

15

repairs in FY17 totaling

$396,000 31

management plans totaling

$193,000

$2.5 million

cost of ACEP restoration funding in FY17

acres enrolled in ACEP in FY17

acres enrolled in ACEP since 1992

easements enrolled in ACEP since 1992

EWP Emergency Watershed Protection Program The Emergency Watershed Protection Program helps conserve natural resources by relieving imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods, fires, wind­storms, and other natural occurrences. Work must be sponsored by a state agency, a city, county or local government. NRCS provides 75 percent of the funds for an approved project, with the public organization providing the balance.

April-May 2017

A spring storm dropped more than 11 inches of rain within 24 hours causing flooding in south-central Missouri.

4

Number of volunteers from other states who assisted with Missouri’s Damage Survey Reports (DSR). NRCS has learned a lot about wetland restoration. Now we use soil maps and historical maps that show where river meanders, oxbows and sloughs once existed. By recreating those landscape features, the newer wetlands look more natural and better fit the needs of migratory water birds and other wetland wildlife. The photo shows the difference between the old style (upper left) and the new style.

money obligated for ACEP in FY17

$33.5 million

Total estimated cost of Missouri’s 44 DSRs.

December 2016

A storm caused major flooding that forced the closure of portions of Interstates 44 and 55 near St. Louis as well as damage to southeastern Missouri.

20

Projects in which plans, specifications and agreements were obligated.

$6.6 million

Financial assistance dispersed on 24 of 26 projects completed.

220

Staff days spent on Missouri’s 44 DSRs. 11


Leveraging Partnerships to Enhance Technical Assistance

With NRCS experiencing a shrinking workforce, partnerships have become increasingly important in tackling all of the challenges faced by farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. Working together allows us to continue to deliver results for farmers, natural resources and the American people. NRCS partners in Missouri cross state lines, industries and agencies as well as public and provide sectors.

200

370 360

361

180 160

350 340

140

337

120

330

134 115

100

320 310

310

80 60

300

40

290

20

280

0

2015

2016

2017

Permanent Full Time NRCS Employees 12

176

2015

2016

2017

New Positions Resulting from NRCS Partnership Efforts


Partners in Missouri

250

District Specialists

56

Private Land Conservationists and Biologists

ri Ag

vi c es

m

E S Pr o g r a AC

cu ltu re

Co n

r Se ced servation Experien

36

Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services

31

Administrative Support

30

Shared Technicians

11

Farm Bill Biologists

2

For What It’s Worth

8

new partner agreements in FY17

NRCS and Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation, have partnered to provide jointly funded, specialized field staff to deliver conservation technical assistance and USDA Farm Bill conservation programs. These efforts have accelerated delivery of technical assistance by providing additional trained staff to work with Missouri farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. These Farm Bill biologists work to improve and expand wildlife habitat across the state by working with land users to address environmental quality issues, reduce soil erosion, and to improve soil health, water quality, water quantity, and grazing conditions.

Missourians for Monarchs

74

Workshops, tours and presentations conducted by Farm Bill biologists reached 3,670 people.

2,772

EQIP and CRP acres on which monitoring was conducted by Farm Bill biologists.

1

24 million

1

Field Forester

workshops led by partners in FY17

Partnering for More Habitat Farm Bill Biologists

Wetland Conservation Technicians Natural Resource Conservation Specialist

147

Milkweed seeds planted by Farm Bill biologists in FY17.

35 organizations, including state and federal

government agencies, utilities, academia, agribusinesses and other non-governmental and nonprofit organizations are involved in Missourians for Monarchs. The group works to increase and sustain habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators. A Monarch and Pollinator Coordinator, the only position like this in the nation, works out of the NRCS state office and is funded by six members of the 13 steering committee, including NRCS.


Providing Technical Assistance Helping People Help the Land NRCS and its partners provide Conservation Technical Assistance to land users to identify resource concerns and opportunities related to the use of natural resources on their land. This assistance can lead to developing conservation plans, which can serve as springboards for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who are interested in participating in USDA financial assistance and easement conservation programs. Conservation plans provide roadmaps for farmers, helping them meet their production and natural resource goals. Our unique ability to offer both financial and technical assistance helps ensure that we can meet the diverse needs of our customers.

Partners

Representatives of the Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission, NRCS, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and the Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts received a Partnership award from the Missouri Soil and Water Conservation Society during the 2017 Missouri State Fair.

NRCS Soil Health Specialists in Missouri Positions dedicated specifically to soil health

Northwest Missouri Luke Skinner

Northeast Missouri David Doctorian

Southeast Missouri Warren Cork

Southwest Missouri Drexel Atkisson

Soil Health Specialists train NRCS and partner employees on soil health plans and implementation, while spreading the word about soil health to Missouri farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.

For What It’s Worth

40

soil health workshops held in FY17

14

2,300

people attending soil health workshops in Missouri


Soil Health Assessment Center at the University of Missouri The Soil Health Assessment Center originated in 2015 when NRCS and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources funded an in-state soil lab to aid the ongoing Missouri Soil Survey. The Center identifies soil characterization -- the physical and chemical properties of soil. The Soil Health Assessment Center is one of only three labs associated with land grant institutions in the nation offering soil-health testing to landowners. It is located at the University of Missouri’s South Farm in Columbia. On average, the lab processes 7,061 soil samples per year of which 1,800 samples are cover crop and soil health related.

For What It’s Worth

6

grants provided to universities in Missouri

$226,496

funding NRCS grants provided to universities in FY17

University Partners Lincoln University

Competitive grant awarded for outreach and technical assistance to minority and limitedresource farmers, agricultural producers, and the rural community.

Missouri State University

2017 agreement for watershed monitoring at Lamar Lake.

Southeast Missouri State University

Provide small acreage producer training in horticulture techniques in settings including high tunnels, greenhouses, established gardens, and non-food horticulture crops.

University of Missouri

Competitive grant awarded for cover crop outreach.

Soil Technical Assistance

65,575

873,899

1,814

611

Missourians reached through efforts of soil scientists

sites evaluated for National Resources Inventory (NRI) progress

acres with tabular and spatial data updated for Missouri’s soil survey

land-disturbing projects checked to ensure that cultural resources sites were not altered

15


Technical Assistance Outreach Efforts In recent years, NRCS has been effective in reaching selected populations of historically underserved producer groups in Missouri. However, there is always room for additional efforts to ensure we continue to deliver equitable and fair assistance. Utilizing new and established partnerships allows NRCS to develop outreach strategies to reach historically underserved groups, provide training to staff, and to overcome long-held perceptions of not effectively reaching all agricultural producers.

600

571

554

500 393

400 311

300

200

100

0

16

2014 2015 2016 2017 Historically Underserved Landowners Assisted Through NRCS Programs in Missouri

Lincoln University With assistance from NRCS, Lincoln University’s efforts to increase outreach in Missouri’s low income (StrikeForce) counties resulted in the creation of five Farm Outreach Worker positions. Sixteen people applied for NRCS assistance to install seasonal high tunnels. Fourteen applicants received funding and two are waiting for approval. Six people accessed USDA services for the first time and obtained farm numbers to begin conservation planning activities with NRCS. Lincoln University outreach workers directly assisted 118 farmers and ranchers in StrikeForce counties in southeastern Missouri.


St. Louis Science Center Partners Assist with Outreach Efforts NRCS partnered with the St. Louis Science Center to inform a predominantly urban audience about differences in soils and the role of healthy soils in meeting the needs of people. The Science Center launched its All American Soils exhibit in April 2017. The exhibit includes 54 soil monoliths, representing all U.S. states and territories, as well as interactive exhibits. The All American Soils exhibit will be a permanent home for the monoliths, which were at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. More than 65,000 people each year are expected to view the exhibit.

For What It’s Worth

30+

events attended by Missouri’s NRCS Outreach Coordinator

10,000+

individuals attended more than 119 outreach events to learn about assistance available from USDA

Working with Beginning Farmers 11,127

women-operated farms in Missouri

19 percent

increase in Latino farmers and ranchers in Missouri (2007-2012)

EarthDance In 2017, NRCS partnered with EarthDance Organic Farm in Ferguson to increase awareness of organic and locally produced food options in the St. Louis region. EarthDance hosted 58 public and private tours attended by 948 people and 42 field trips for more than 1,000 people, including 839 youth. Twenty-four people also completed six-month organic apprenticeships at the farm. Each of these beginning farmers received training on using high tunnels for optimal year-round production and gained first-hand knowledge and experience related to seeding, tending, and harvesting in EarthDance’s high tunnels. NRCS paid EarthDance to train agency employees on how to better provide technical assistance to nontraditional, organic farmers.

Top Three Languages, Other Than English, Encountered in Missouri NRCS Field Offices While Providing Assistance to Agricultural Producers NRCS staff and “Menfro Man” attended the opening of the All American Soils exhibit in the St. Louis Science Center.

1. Hmong 2. Spanish 3. Russian (Ukraine)

17


CRP Conservation Reserve Program The Conservation Reserve Program is a voluntary program administered by the Farm Service Agency. Missouri NRCS staff and partners provide technical assistance to landowners during sign-up periods and develop conservation plans for all offers that are accepted for enrollment. CRP assists farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers with the cost of restoring, enhancing and protecting certain grasses, shrubs and trees to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and reduce loss of wildlife habitat on environmentally sensitive land. Producers enrolled in CRP establish long-term, resourceconserving cover types in exchange for rental payments, cost-share and technical assistance. Missouri has 881,947 acres enrolled in CRP. CRP Practices Enrolled in FY17 Contracts

For What It’s Worth

43,022

532

753

187

CRP Contract Acres Enrolled by Practice in FY17

Pollinator Habitat Buffers for Upland Birds

182

Filter Strips

CRP contracts in FY17

acres enrolled in CRP in FY17

Pollinator Habitat

3,383

Trees

3,233

2,375

1,376

92

31,970

155 Trees

82

Wetlands

39

Grassed Waterways 18

Wetlands

Filter Strips

Buffers for Upland Birds

Grassed Waterways


Watersheds A Federal-Local Partnership The Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program provides technical and financial assistance to project sponsors to develop and implement authorized watershed project plans. Under the “Watershed Program,� NRCS cooperates with states, local agencies and units of government to carry out works of improvement for soil conservation; flood prevention; conservation, development, utilization and disposal of water; and conservation and proper utilization of land. The work is normally scheduled to be installed over multiple years. All works of improvement, including floodwater retarding dams and reservoirs, are owned and operated by the sponsoring local organizations and participating individuals. The North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission received $5 million to complete land acquisition, permitting, design, and construction/demolition for the East Locust Creek Watershed project.

NRCS Watersheds in Missouri

The Caldwell County Commission received $600,000 for cost share on construction, recreation facilities, and technical assistance for the Little Otter Creek Watershed project. A Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement is nearing completion.

State Conservationist J.R. Flores presents a symbolic check to the Caldwell County Commission for an award of a $1.3 million RCPP grant. The funds were provided in 2015 to cost share on required mitigation and to increase the land treatment above the Little Otter Creek multi-purpose reservoir. Completion of the reservoir is anticipated for 2019.

19


For more information about NRCS Missouri or to locate a field office near you, visit www.mo.nrcs.usda.gov. To sign up for NRCS Missouri email alerts regarding programs, financial assistance opportunities and events, register through Granicus at www.mo.nrcs.usda.gov. Twitter: NRCS_Missouri YouTube: NRCSMissouri USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

February 2018


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