Natural Resources Conservation Service-Nebraska: USDA Funding Available to Help Control Soil Erosion on Cropland

LINCOLN, Nebraska, June 24 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service Nebraska office issued the following news release on June 23, 2021:

Farmers know when they lose soil, they lose profits. Preventing soil erosion is good for the environment and for producers' bottom line.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has funding available to help Nebraska's farmers control erosion on their cropland. This funding is available through the Highly Erodible Land Treatment Initiative under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Eligible producers have until July 2, 2021, to apply.

Controlling erosion is especially important for recipients of USDA program benefits - like federal crop insurance subsidies and conservation program payments. USDA program participants are required to control erosion on all cropland determined to be highly erodible. The funding available through this special initiative can help farmers meet that requirement.

Nebraska Acting State Conservationist Britt Weiser said, "Conservation practices such as cover crops and grassed waterways are good solutions for controlling ephemeral gullies, which is required by conservation compliance provisions."

According to NRCS, over the last couple decades, there have been a continual decrease in grassed waterways and terraces being used. On some fields, this has led to increased erosion and ephemeral gullies.

Weiser said, "Ephemeral gullies are those rough spots where water concentrates and causes soil to wash away, creating small ditches. While the damage to cropland appears to be small, if not controlled, the negative impacts like loss of inputs, decreased soil health and yields can be significant. Plus, it can cause farmers to be out of compliance with USDA's Food Security Act requirements."

For more information, and to apply for funding through this special initiative, contact your local NRCS Service Center before July 2. Due to the on-going COVID-19 public health situation, producers are encouraged to call local offices to set up an appointment with NRCS staff over the phone.