WHY
The James River Basin Partnership, in collaboration with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) of Greene and Webster Counties, are offering a 10% rebate to landowners of the Upper James River sub-watershed who have installed qualified best management practices (BMPs) as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
Managed grazing systems are a commonly used agricultural practice to prevent overgrazing, which can lead to increased soil erosion and loss of productive soil during rain events. By moving animals between smaller grazing areas, waste is spread more evenly, allowing for better assimilation by soils and providing fertilizer value. With these systems, animals eat only the uppermost, most nutritious and palatable parts of grass blades, helping them to gain weight faster.
With traditional grazing, animals with access to streams and shade will spend most of their time there in the warm weather months, only walking to get enough grass to eat. With managed grazing, animals spend less time in stream zones, meaning less waste is deposited near the stream. Streambank erosion and soil loss are reduced because the animals do not trample streamside vegetation and denude streambanks.
The Upper James River sub-watershed
Residents of the Upper James River watershed, and who have installed qualifying BMPs since March 1, 2023, are eligible to participate in this cost-share.
Please contact JRBP Project Manager Todd Wilkinson at 417-836-4847, or ToddWilkinson@JamesRiverBasin.com with any questions or to determine eligibility.
NRCS and SWCD Best Management Practices listed below are eligible for the cost-share program.
Eligibility
Brush Management (314)
Herbaceous Weed Treatment (315)
Critical Area Planting (342)
Fence (382)
Access Control (472)
Use Exclusion (SWCD 472)
Forage Harvest Management (511)
Pasture Hay Planting (512)
Livestock Pipeline (516)
Prescribed Grazing (528)
Pumping Plant (533)
Heavy Use Area Protection (561)
Spring Development (574)
Livestock Shelter Structure (576)
Stream Crossing (578)
Watering Facility (614)
Water Well (6420
Annual Forages for Grazing Systems (810)
Cover Crop Practice (SWCD N340)
Landowners who submit a copy of their NRCS Form 1245 or a SWCD Contract Payment Form showing that approved practices have been implemented to improve water quality will receive a 10% rebate on their portion of the cost share program.
The JRBP Project Manager will request either physical or electronic copies of the documents after receiving the initial application.
