DES MOINES –Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today encouraged farmers to consider taking advantage of a new incentive is being offered to encourage summer construction of conservation practices. This incentive has been put in place to extend the construction season and, as a result, put more conservation structures on the ground to prevent erosion and protect water quality.
“The window for construction of conservation practices is always short, but the wet spring and late harvest last year severely limited the ability to get these structures on the ground,” Northey said. “This incentive is designed to help the districts that have a backlog of farmers wanting to install practices but have been prevented by the weather or the lack of contractor availability.”
Chapter 10 of Iowa administrative rules, the “Iowa Financial Incentive Program (IFIP) for Soil Erosion Control” section, has been amended to create this summer construction incentive. The change took effect on April 1st.
Specifically the change allows Soil and Water Conservation Districts to offer up to $200 per acre for permanent conservation practices constructed between June 15th and October 15th.
The incentive is only for Districts that have a backlog of projects and as a result may not be available in all areas.
To qualify:
- The field being treated must have been in row cropland during the previous growing season.
- The construction area needs to be protected to prevent soil erosion before and after construction.
- The construction of the permanent conservation practice must take place between June 15 and October 15.
- Only the land needed for the construction is eligible for this incentive.
- No crop can be harvested from the construction area.
“Farmers interested in learning more or signing up should contact their local Soil and Water Conservation District office,” Northey said. “This gives us a real opportunity to extend the construction season for these conservation practices and get more work done that will protect our soils and waterways.”
|
