820: Landowners assisted by NRCS Grassland Specialists GRAZING LANDS CONSERVATION INITIATIVE (GLCI)
The Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) is a nationwide collaborative process of individuals and organizations working to maintain and improve the management, productivity and health of the nation’s privately owned grazing land. This process has formed coalitions that represent the grassroot concerns that impact private grazing land. The coalitions actively seek sources to increase technical assistance and public awareness activities that maintain or enhance grazing land resources. NRCS grassland specialists and staff assisted 820 landowners and partner organizations with 29 grazing schools held throughout Missouri. The schools provide landowners and interested individuals with an understanding of various grazing, forage utilization and fencing systems options to improve the management of all grassland resources in Missouri. NRCS grassland conservationists and staff also assisted with four regional forage conferences, with 20 field days/ workshops, and with eight grassland evaluation contests.
COOPERATIVE CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE (CCPI)
The Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) was established in the 2008 Farm Bill. Each year, CCPI projects receive a targeted portion of the funds that NRCS has available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Missouri NRCS, which administers CCPI, partnered with 11 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) to address natural resource concerns. These formal agreements between NRCS, sponsoring SWCDs and MDC, provide $1.1 million in NRCS financial assistance through EQIP and WHIP contracts. The funding assists in protecting water quality, reducing soil loss and improving habitat throughout Missouri.
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