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Only the rental contract portion of GRP is being offered in Nevada this year. The program signup period will close on June 15, 2009. Applications must be submitted to Farm Service Agency county offices or NRCS field offices to be considered for funding this fiscal year. Local conservationists with the Natural Resources Conservation Service will provide assistance to help landowners develop grazing management and restoration plans.
According to Gus Wegren, acting state executive director for the FSA in Nevada, applicants must own or have control of the eligible land for the intended contract period. “Rental contracts are available for 10, 15 or 20-year terms,” he said.
The FSA established rental rate for all of Nevada is 75 percent of the grazing value or $5.00 per acre.
Eligible land includes privately-owned grasslands; land that contains forbs, including improved rangeland and irrigated pasture for which grazing is the predominant use; or land that is located in an area that historically has been dominated by grassland, forbs or shrubs that has the potential to serve as wildlife habitat of significant ecological value. There is no minimum acreage for enrollment. Land is not eligible if it is currently enrolled in another conservation program or is already protected by an existing easement, contract or deed restriction, or is owned by a conservation organization.
A grazing management plan is required for all GRP rental contracts. This plan will address grazing related resources, will require planned and applied practices that must meet NRCS standards and specifications and include any restrictions to haying, mowing, or harvesting for seed production during the nesting season for grassland birds in the local area that are in significant decline. A restoration agreement may also be necessary. The restoration agreement identifies conservation practices and measures necessary to improve the rangeland and irrigated pasture functions and values. Financial assistance may be available for conservation practices or activities. Practices and activities required to meet NRCS standards and specifications will be paid at 50 percent of the cost of installing the practice.
The Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) provision of the 2008 Farm Bill impacts eligibility for GRP. Individuals or entities that have an AGI exceeding $1 million for the three tax years immediately preceding are not eligible to receive program benefits or payments. However, an exemption is provided in cases where two-thirds of the AGI is derived from farming, ranching or forestry operations.
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