Putting New 2008 Farm Bill Programs to Work for Producers

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 pat.murphy@wi.usda.gov– Matt Otto 608-662-4422 x245 matt.otto@wi.usda.gov

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

• For more information:– www.sare.org– Diane Mayerfeld, 608.262.8188

dbmayerfeld@wisc.edu

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; DatcpBLBW@wi.gov 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

Bridget@MichaelFieldsAgInst.org