United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service
MISSOURI Annual Report Fiscal Year 2017
Fiscal Year 2017 Annual Report Table of Contents State Conservationist J.R. Flores__________________________________________________ 3 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) �����������������������������������4-5 Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) �����������������������������������������6-7 Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) ���������������������������������8-9 Agriculture Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) ������������������������������ 10-11 Technical Assistance: Partnerships______________________________________________12-13 Technical Assistance: Soil Health_______________________________________________14-15 Technical Assistance: Outreach Efforts___________________________________________16-17 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)_____________________________________________ 18 Watersheds__________________________________________________________________ 19
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Conserving Natural Resources A Benefit to All Missourians Missouri’s 6.1 million residents all benefit in some way from the work of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Missouri NRCS employees work directly with farmers, ranchers, foresters and other landowners and land users to protect and enhance our soil, water, animals, plants and air. The voluntary efforts we support keep water cleaner and land more productive. In many cases, farmers and ranchers are more profitable as a result. NRCS helps Missouri farmers, ranchers and others by offering a variety of technical and financial assistance. Our work is enhanced by the outstanding partnerships that we have formed over the years. The partnerships have helped take up some of the slack of a shrinking NRCS workforce.
J.R. Flores State Conservationist
The soil health movement is the best thing that has happened in decades to benefit natural resources. No-till, cover crops, and well-managed grazing not only greatly reduces erosion, but improves the health of the soil. The result of healthier soils – less runoff, less erosion, fewer chemicals, reduced flooding, and cleaner water – are the things that NRCS was created to do. Soil health fits nicely with the four priorities of NRCS in Missouri: • • • •
Sound Conservation Planning High Quality Technical Assistance to Customers Increased Conservation Access and Capacity Deliver Farm Bill Programs
NRCS is committed to helping people help the land. We are working hard for the benefit of current residents and future generations.
3
EQIP Environmental Quality Incentives Program The Environmental Quality Incentives Program provides financial and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to plan and implement conservation practices that improve soil, water, plant, animal, air and related natural resources. Fund allocation is based upon Congressional mandates, land-use data and the priority natural resources concerns within states. As a “fix-it” program, EQIP helps farmers voluntarily remedy issues on their land by implementing conservation practices specifically aligned with the participant’s objectives and goals for balancing production and environmental benefit. In FY17, EQIP, one of Missouri NRCS’ most popular programs, saw increases in funds obligated, payments made and implementation rates.
1,400
155,000 1,282
1,200
1,223
1,059
$31
150,000
$30
145,000
1,000
Millions
135,000
600
130,000
400
$28
$27
$26,866,400
125,000
200
$26
120,000
2015
2016
Contracts 4
129,294
$29,082,526
$29
139,268
140,000
800
0
$30,547,556
151,614
2017
115,000
2015
2016
2017
Acres Contracted Information represents both EQIP and RCPP-EQIP
$25
2015
2016
Obligations
2017
Top EQIP Practices of FY17 Percentage of total $30.5 million obligated
20%
For What It’s Worth
$56,303,984
12% increase
EQIP payments and obligations
Cover Crops
in implementation rate of contracts from FY16
EQIP on the Ground in FY17
11%
Terrace/ Underground Outlet
9%
Fence
8%
Kansas City
p
Warrenton
St. Louis
Livestock Pipeline/ Watering Facilities
planted in Missouri -- nearly equaling the size of the Lake of the Ozarks. Cover crops improve soil health, reduce runoff and can increase profitability.
4.6%
High Tunnel
4.6%
Forage and Biomass Planting
3.6%
Forest Stand Improvement
412
livestock operations received EQIP contracts in 2017 covering 49,837 acres of land.
48,043 acres of cover crops were
226 miles of fencing and 214 miles of terraces were
installed in Missouri. Driving that many miles, you could go from St. Louis to Kansas City and back to Warrenton. These practices are effective at reducing soil erosion, improving water quality and improving forage quality while also increasing sustainability.
4.5 football fields
Nearly every eligible high tunnel application in Missouri received funding. If all 119 high tunnels installed in FY17 were put together, it would equal 4.5 football fields. High tunnels extend growing seasons, improve soil health, and provide local sources of fresh produce. 5
CSP Conservation Stewardship Program The Conservation Stewardship Program is the largest private lands conservation program in the nation. It helps agricultural producers maintain and improve their existing conservation activities to enhance natural resources. CSP rewards farmers, ranchers and landowners based on their existing levels of conservation and their willingness to adopt additional conservation activities. Each year, NRCS administers two CSP opportunities: an acre allocation for new contracts and an opportunity for existing participants to extend or renew their contracts for another five years. In FY17, CSP was made more transparent and more flexible to changes in operations. The improved CSP allowed Missouri to maintain approximately 1.6 million acres enrolled in the program.
CSP Land Use in Missouri
2017 New Land Use Acres
2017 Renewal Land Use Acres
2017 Statewide Summary Total Acres
Cropland________________________ 129,397
Cropland_________________________ 50,000 Cropland____________________________ 179,397
Pasture__________________________ 63,552
Pasture__________________________ 48,800 Pasture______________________________112,352
Non-Industrial Private Forest Land ����� 9,484
Non-Industrial Private Forest Land_____ 11,500 Non-Industrial Private Forest Land �������� 20,984
Associated Ag Land__________________ 4,981
Associated Ag Land______________________ 4,981
Farmstead___________________________ 904
Farmstead_______________________________ 904
Missouri’s Most Popular CSP Conservation Activities in 2017 (Acres Planned)
101,450
38,660
74,135
5,745
Cover Crops
6
Conservation Crop Rotations
Wildlife, Pollinator Forage and Biomass Planting and Beneficial Insect Habitat Information represents both CSP and RCPP-CSP
Renewals New
For What It’s Worth
1,588,057
$27,545,101
acres enrolled in CSP
CSP payment and obligations in FY17
Missouri Ranked Top-Five Nationally in FY17
188 Contracts 460 Contracts
1.
Number of Applications Oklahoma �������������������� 1,313
1.
Number of Active Contracts Oklahoma ���������������������4,072
2.
Minnesota �������������������� 1,126
2.
Minnesota ���������������������4,041
3.
Arkansas______________________ 1,115
3.
South Dakota ������������������2,795
4.
Nebraska______________________ 1,039
4.
Arkansas ����������������������2,702
5. MISSOURI �������������� 1,011
5. MISSOURI �������������� 2,648
CSP Ranks Highest Among Federal Programs Acres Enrolled in FY17 in Missouri
110,300 Acres 208,318 Acres
$1.2 Million $2.9 Million
CSP____________ 318,618 EQIP___________ 139,268 ACEP ������������ 3,458 7
RCPP Regional Conservation Partnership Program The Regional Conservation Partnership Program promotes coordination between NRCS and its partners to deliver conservation assistance to landowners. NRCS provides financial and technical assistance through partnership agreements and program contracts. RCPP’s focus on public-private partnerships enables private companies, local communities and other non-government partners a way to invest in efforts to keep land resilient and water clean, and to promote economic growth in agriculture, construction, tourism, outdoor recreation, and other industries. In FY17, the benefits of 12 Missouri RCPP projects continued to be realized. The projects funded, number of contributing partners and total funds contributed through RCPP is making more conservation opportunities available to Missourians.
FY17 RCPP Projects in Missouri
Contracts
Acres
Dollars
MDC’s Glade/Woodland Restoration MDC’s Grassland Bird and Grazing Lands Initiative MDA’s Cover Crops for Soil Health Jackson SWCD’s Urban/Rural Farmers Conservation DNR’s Targeted Watershed Conservation Ducks Unlimited Rice Stewardship 8
22
33,107
$241,259
7
8,379
$185,405
Restoring Glade and Woodland Restoring Glade and Woodland Communities for Threatened Species in the of Communities for Threatened Restoring Glade andOzarks Woodland Species in the Ozarks of Communities for Threatened Species in the Ozark Southeast Missouri Southeast Missouri Southeast Missouri Regional Grassland Bird and Grazing Land Enhancement Initiative Regional Grassland Bird and Grazing Land EnhancementRegional InitiativeGrassland Bird and Grazing Land Enhancement Initiative
11
Cover Crops for Soil Health and Water Quality
13,519
Cover Crops for Soil Health and Water Quality
11
$328,414
Cover Crops for Soil Health and Water Quality
5
$73,234
Northwest Missouri Urban and Rural Farmers United for Conservation Northwest Missouri Urban and Rural Farmers United forNorthwest Conservation Missouri Urban and Rural Farmers United for Conservation
RCPP OMW-EQIP
55
RCPP OMW-EQIP
55,976
RCPP OMW-EQIP
$1,341,324
Rice Stewardship-CSP
17
Rice Stewardship-CSP
10,140
Rice Stewardship-CSP
$92,573
Top RCPP Practices of FY17 Listed by amount planned
11,126 acres
For What It’s Worth
61,321
$6,108,568
RCPP acres contracted since 2015
RCPP obligations since 2015
Cover Crops
240,975 feet Fence
940 acres
Forage and Biomass Planting
12
Number of RCPP projects funded
85,691 feet Livestock Pipeline
110
73
Number of contributing partners
$
$45,180,000 Amount of funds contributed/ leveraged by partners
RCPP Projects by Primary Resource Concerns
Watering Facilities
42,738 feet Terrace
256 acres
Restoration of Habitat for Declining Wildlife Species
Inadequate Habitat Wildlife 6 Projects Water Quality 5 Projects Soil Health 1 Project
362
Number of RCPP program contracts since the program began in 2015. 9
ACEP Agriculture Conservation Easement Program The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands, wetlands and their related benefits.
3,458
3,500
Millions Millions
$ 12 $ 10
1,736
1,638
$8,400,000
$8
1,500 1,000
$6
868
$5,000,000 $3,500,000
$4
500
$2
2014
2015
2016
ACEP Acres Enrolled 10
$17,386,000
$ 14
2,500
0
$ 18 $ 16
3,000
2,000
Top 10 States For ACEP Acres Enrolled in FY17
$ 20
4,000
2017
$0
2014
2015
2016
ACEP Dollars Obligated
2017
1. Arkansas
13,076
2. Montana
10,128
3. Georgia
8,989
4. Louisiana
8,310
5. Mississippi
5,798
6. Florida
5,458
7.
North Dakota
4,415
8. Missouri
3,458
9. Indiana
2,995
10. Illinois
2,860
Wetland Reserve Easement
For What It’s Worth
28
3,458
$17,386,000
2,090 acres
158,963
1,141
restoration easements completed on
15
repairs in FY17 totaling
$396,000 31
management plans totaling
$193,000
$2.5 million
cost of ACEP restoration funding in FY17
acres enrolled in ACEP in FY17
acres enrolled in ACEP since 1992
easements enrolled in ACEP since 1992
EWP Emergency Watershed Protection Program The Emergency Watershed Protection Program helps conserve natural resources by relieving imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms, and other natural occurrences. Work must be sponsored by a state agency, a city, county or local government. NRCS provides 75 percent of the funds for an approved project, with the public organization providing the balance.
April-May 2017
A spring storm dropped more than 11 inches of rain within 24 hours causing flooding in south-central Missouri.
4
Number of volunteers from other states who assisted with Missouri’s Damage Survey Reports (DSR). NRCS has learned a lot about wetland restoration. Now we use soil maps and historical maps that show where river meanders, oxbows and sloughs once existed. By recreating those landscape features, the newer wetlands look more natural and better fit the needs of migratory water birds and other wetland wildlife. The photo shows the difference between the old style (upper left) and the new style.
money obligated for ACEP in FY17
$33.5 million
Total estimated cost of Missouri’s 44 DSRs.
December 2016
A storm caused major flooding that forced the closure of portions of Interstates 44 and 55 near St. Louis as well as damage to southeastern Missouri.
20
Projects in which plans, specifications and agreements were obligated.
$6.6 million
Financial assistance dispersed on 24 of 26 projects completed.
220
Staff days spent on Missouri’s 44 DSRs. 11
Leveraging Partnerships to Enhance Technical Assistance
With NRCS experiencing a shrinking workforce, partnerships have become increasingly important in tackling all of the challenges faced by farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. Working together allows us to continue to deliver results for farmers, natural resources and the American people. NRCS partners in Missouri cross state lines, industries and agencies as well as public and provide sectors.
200
370 360
361
180 160
350 340
140
337
120
330
134 115
100
320 310
310
80 60
300
40
290
20
280
0
2015
2016
2017
Permanent Full Time NRCS Employees 12
176
2015
2016
2017
New Positions Resulting from NRCS Partnership Efforts
Partners in Missouri
250
District Specialists
56
Private Land Conservationists and Biologists
ri Ag
vi c es
m
E S Pr o g r a AC
cu ltu re
Co n
r Se ced servation Experien
36
Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services
31
Administrative Support
30
Shared Technicians
11
Farm Bill Biologists
2
For What It’s Worth
8
new partner agreements in FY17
NRCS and Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever, in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Conservation, have partnered to provide jointly funded, specialized field staff to deliver conservation technical assistance and USDA Farm Bill conservation programs. These efforts have accelerated delivery of technical assistance by providing additional trained staff to work with Missouri farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. These Farm Bill biologists work to improve and expand wildlife habitat across the state by working with land users to address environmental quality issues, reduce soil erosion, and to improve soil health, water quality, water quantity, and grazing conditions.
Missourians for Monarchs
74
Workshops, tours and presentations conducted by Farm Bill biologists reached 3,670 people.
2,772
EQIP and CRP acres on which monitoring was conducted by Farm Bill biologists.
1
24 million
1
Field Forester
workshops led by partners in FY17
Partnering for More Habitat Farm Bill Biologists
Wetland Conservation Technicians Natural Resource Conservation Specialist
147
Milkweed seeds planted by Farm Bill biologists in FY17.
35 organizations, including state and federal
government agencies, utilities, academia, agribusinesses and other non-governmental and nonprofit organizations are involved in Missourians for Monarchs. The group works to increase and sustain habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators. A Monarch and Pollinator Coordinator, the only position like this in the nation, works out of the NRCS state office and is funded by six members of the 13 steering committee, including NRCS.
Providing Technical Assistance Helping People Help the Land NRCS and its partners provide Conservation Technical Assistance to land users to identify resource concerns and opportunities related to the use of natural resources on their land. This assistance can lead to developing conservation plans, which can serve as springboards for farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who are interested in participating in USDA financial assistance and easement conservation programs. Conservation plans provide roadmaps for farmers, helping them meet their production and natural resource goals. Our unique ability to offer both financial and technical assistance helps ensure that we can meet the diverse needs of our customers.
Partners
Representatives of the Missouri Soil and Water Districts Commission, NRCS, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and the Missouri Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts received a Partnership award from the Missouri Soil and Water Conservation Society during the 2017 Missouri State Fair.
NRCS Soil Health Specialists in Missouri Positions dedicated specifically to soil health
Northwest Missouri Luke Skinner
Northeast Missouri David Doctorian
Southeast Missouri Warren Cork
Southwest Missouri Drexel Atkisson
Soil Health Specialists train NRCS and partner employees on soil health plans and implementation, while spreading the word about soil health to Missouri farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.
For What It’s Worth
40
soil health workshops held in FY17
14
2,300
people attending soil health workshops in Missouri
Soil Health Assessment Center at the University of Missouri The Soil Health Assessment Center originated in 2015 when NRCS and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources funded an in-state soil lab to aid the ongoing Missouri Soil Survey. The Center identifies soil characterization -- the physical and chemical properties of soil. The Soil Health Assessment Center is one of only three labs associated with land grant institutions in the nation offering soil-health testing to landowners. It is located at the University of Missouri’s South Farm in Columbia. On average, the lab processes 7,061 soil samples per year of which 1,800 samples are cover crop and soil health related.
For What It’s Worth
6
grants provided to universities in Missouri
$226,496
funding NRCS grants provided to universities in FY17
University Partners Lincoln University
Competitive grant awarded for outreach and technical assistance to minority and limitedresource farmers, agricultural producers, and the rural community.
Missouri State University
2017 agreement for watershed monitoring at Lamar Lake.
Southeast Missouri State University
Provide small acreage producer training in horticulture techniques in settings including high tunnels, greenhouses, established gardens, and non-food horticulture crops.
University of Missouri
Competitive grant awarded for cover crop outreach.
Soil Technical Assistance
65,575
873,899
1,814
611
Missourians reached through efforts of soil scientists
sites evaluated for National Resources Inventory (NRI) progress
acres with tabular and spatial data updated for Missouri’s soil survey
land-disturbing projects checked to ensure that cultural resources sites were not altered
15
Technical Assistance Outreach Efforts In recent years, NRCS has been effective in reaching selected populations of historically underserved producer groups in Missouri. However, there is always room for additional efforts to ensure we continue to deliver equitable and fair assistance. Utilizing new and established partnerships allows NRCS to develop outreach strategies to reach historically underserved groups, provide training to staff, and to overcome long-held perceptions of not effectively reaching all agricultural producers.
600
571
554
500 393
400 311
300
200
100
0
16
2014 2015 2016 2017 Historically Underserved Landowners Assisted Through NRCS Programs in Missouri
Lincoln University With assistance from NRCS, Lincoln University’s efforts to increase outreach in Missouri’s low income (StrikeForce) counties resulted in the creation of five Farm Outreach Worker positions. Sixteen people applied for NRCS assistance to install seasonal high tunnels. Fourteen applicants received funding and two are waiting for approval. Six people accessed USDA services for the first time and obtained farm numbers to begin conservation planning activities with NRCS. Lincoln University outreach workers directly assisted 118 farmers and ranchers in StrikeForce counties in southeastern Missouri.
St. Louis Science Center Partners Assist with Outreach Efforts NRCS partnered with the St. Louis Science Center to inform a predominantly urban audience about differences in soils and the role of healthy soils in meeting the needs of people. The Science Center launched its All American Soils exhibit in April 2017. The exhibit includes 54 soil monoliths, representing all U.S. states and territories, as well as interactive exhibits. The All American Soils exhibit will be a permanent home for the monoliths, which were at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. More than 65,000 people each year are expected to view the exhibit.
For What It’s Worth
30+
events attended by Missouri’s NRCS Outreach Coordinator
10,000+
individuals attended more than 119 outreach events to learn about assistance available from USDA
Working with Beginning Farmers 11,127
women-operated farms in Missouri
19 percent
increase in Latino farmers and ranchers in Missouri (2007-2012)
EarthDance In 2017, NRCS partnered with EarthDance Organic Farm in Ferguson to increase awareness of organic and locally produced food options in the St. Louis region. EarthDance hosted 58 public and private tours attended by 948 people and 42 field trips for more than 1,000 people, including 839 youth. Twenty-four people also completed six-month organic apprenticeships at the farm. Each of these beginning farmers received training on using high tunnels for optimal year-round production and gained first-hand knowledge and experience related to seeding, tending, and harvesting in EarthDance’s high tunnels. NRCS paid EarthDance to train agency employees on how to better provide technical assistance to nontraditional, organic farmers.
Top Three Languages, Other Than English, Encountered in Missouri NRCS Field Offices While Providing Assistance to Agricultural Producers NRCS staff and “Menfro Man” attended the opening of the All American Soils exhibit in the St. Louis Science Center.
1. Hmong 2. Spanish 3. Russian (Ukraine)
17
CRP Conservation Reserve Program The Conservation Reserve Program is a voluntary program administered by the Farm Service Agency. Missouri NRCS staff and partners provide technical assistance to landowners during sign-up periods and develop conservation plans for all offers that are accepted for enrollment. CRP assists farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers with the cost of restoring, enhancing and protecting certain grasses, shrubs and trees to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion and reduce loss of wildlife habitat on environmentally sensitive land. Producers enrolled in CRP establish long-term, resourceconserving cover types in exchange for rental payments, cost-share and technical assistance. Missouri has 881,947 acres enrolled in CRP. CRP Practices Enrolled in FY17 Contracts
For What It’s Worth
43,022
532
753
187
CRP Contract Acres Enrolled by Practice in FY17
Pollinator Habitat Buffers for Upland Birds
182
Filter Strips
CRP contracts in FY17
acres enrolled in CRP in FY17
Pollinator Habitat
3,383
Trees
3,233
2,375
1,376
92
31,970
155 Trees
82
Wetlands
39
Grassed Waterways 18
Wetlands
Filter Strips
Buffers for Upland Birds
Grassed Waterways
Watersheds A Federal-Local Partnership The Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations Program provides technical and financial assistance to project sponsors to develop and implement authorized watershed project plans. Under the “Watershed Program,� NRCS cooperates with states, local agencies and units of government to carry out works of improvement for soil conservation; flood prevention; conservation, development, utilization and disposal of water; and conservation and proper utilization of land. The work is normally scheduled to be installed over multiple years. All works of improvement, including floodwater retarding dams and reservoirs, are owned and operated by the sponsoring local organizations and participating individuals. The North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission received $5 million to complete land acquisition, permitting, design, and construction/demolition for the East Locust Creek Watershed project.
NRCS Watersheds in Missouri
The Caldwell County Commission received $600,000 for cost share on construction, recreation facilities, and technical assistance for the Little Otter Creek Watershed project. A Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement is nearing completion.
State Conservationist J.R. Flores presents a symbolic check to the Caldwell County Commission for an award of a $1.3 million RCPP grant. The funds were provided in 2015 to cost share on required mitigation and to increase the land treatment above the Little Otter Creek multi-purpose reservoir. Completion of the reservoir is anticipated for 2019.
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For more information about NRCS Missouri or to locate a field office near you, visit www.mo.nrcs.usda.gov. To sign up for NRCS Missouri email alerts regarding programs, financial assistance opportunities and events, register through Granicus at www.mo.nrcs.usda.gov. Twitter: NRCS_Missouri YouTube: NRCSMissouri USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
February 2018