Marion SWCD

Many of the grant programs available to property owners can assist them in implementing conservation practices on their property. Programs have specific requirements on the practices that they will support in addition to caps on the amount of dollars that are available. Some programs require property owners to provide an in-kind or cash match. The following is a partial list of programs available to property owners so check with other federal and state agencies to see what types of programs they provide. If you have questions or would like to apply for one of the following programs contact the program’s administrator.

Conservation Assistance Grant (The new LAP)

Helps fund projects that work to solve specific natural resource issues (such as irrigation, erosion, weed control, overgrazing). Property owners who have gone through the conservation planning process with Marion SWCD are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility: Preference will be given to small acreage property owners who have difficulty finding financial assistance through other state and federal programs. Property owner projects must also be compatible with the goals of the local Agricultural Water Quality Management Area Plan.

• Max Amount: ?????
• Property Owners Contribution: 50%
• Lenght of Contract: 1 Year

Special Project Grant Program (SPG)

The SPG program seeks those cutting edge conservation practices currently under represented in Marion County. These projects will serve as models for others to follow. Funded projects will offer the potential to work towards solving local area resource concerns.

• Max Amount: ?????
• Property Owners Contribution: 50%
• Lenght of Contract: 1 Year

OWEB Small Grant

OWEB funds projects designed to improve water quality, water quantity, and fish and wildlife habitat. This program funds on-the-ground watershed restoration and enhancement projects on forest, agricultural, range, urban, and rural residential lands.

Eligibility: Any person, tribe, watershed council, soil and water conservation district, community college, state institution of higher education, independent not-for-profit institution of higher education, or political subdivision of the state that is not a state agency, applying through a recognized local Watershed Council or Soil and Water Conservation District.

NRCS

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) – Our most popular financial assistance program. EQIP offers financial and technical assistance for structural and management conservation practices on working agricultural lands.

NRCS Oregon uses a strategic approach to conservation to administer its general EQIP dollars. By using a strategic approach, NRCS works with local communities, partners and landowners to determine county-level resource concerns and priorities, and focuses its EQIP investments in those areas. These priorities are addressed in a local Conservation Implementation Strategy, or CIS. We offer several categories of EQIP funding: general EQIP, which are specific to a CIS area, and statewide EQIP Initiatives such as the Organic Initiative, High Tunnel Initiative, and Sage Grouse Initiative.

Grant Programs

• Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) – These grants spur the development and wide-scale adoption of new technologies and approaches to address pressing natural resource concerns in an agricultural setting.
• Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentives Program (VPA-HIP) – These grants help state and tribal governments increase public access to private lands for wildlife-dependent recreation, such as hunting, fishing, nature watching or hiking.

Stewardship Programs

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) – The nation’s largest voluntary conservation program (by acres) for working lands. CSP encourages farmers, ranchers and woodland owners to take their conservation a step further by adopting additional conservation activities and enhancements, while also sustaining their current level of conservation.

Partnership Programs

Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) – Offers new opportunities for conservation partners and agricultural producers to work together to harness innovation, expand the conservation mission and demonstrate the value and efficacy of voluntary, private lands conservation.

Conservation Easements

• Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) – Protects working agricultural lands for future generations and limits non-agricultural uses and development of the land. Part of the Agricultural Conservation Easements Program (ACEP).
• Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) – Restores, enhances and protects wetland habitats. Part of the Agricultural Conservation Easements Program (ACEP).

FSA

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) through the Farm Loan Programs (FLP) provides direct and guaranteed loans to beginning farmers and ranchers who are unable to obtain financing from commercial credit sources.

https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/index