on my property because it
promotes conservation and
demonstrates conservation
practices. Communication
is key for educating others
and working together;
we accomplished that
through tours, workshops
and conferences such as
the Appalachian Grazing
Conference.”
will make an appointment to visit your property. A
conservation plan will be created after discussing the
landowner/producer’s goals, reviewing the resource
concerns and proposing possible conservation options.
There is no cost for a conservation plan and the plan does
not require the farmer to participate in NRCS financial
assistance programs. The conservation plan belongs to
the farmer and is a roadmap of sorts, helping the farmer
set short- and long-term goals for their land.
Funding for NRCS comes from the Agriculture
Act, approved by Congress every five years, and is
commonly referred to as the Farm Bill. The 2014
Farm Bill contains programs that can provide financial
support to implement conservation solutions on your
farm. NRCS offers a suite of conservation practices
that address the areas of soil, water, energy, air, plants
and animals.
Gumm has participated in the NRCS Environmental
Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to construct a
livestock feeding facility, a dual-purpose structure where
cattle are fed in one area and manure is stored in another
area for future use.
“One of the highlights of our operations in
working with NRCS was a livestock feeding
facility, which was often part of NRCS conservation
tours,” Gumm said. “I am always open to tours
24 West Virginia Farm Bureau News
What do farmers gain
when working with NRCS?
Improvements to the land and
water challenges on farms
translate into real increases
in production and lower
costs, helping producers
make the most of their
land. For example, NRCS
can help overcome lack of
water for livestock, the lack of forage production,
animal health concerns, and limited soil capabilities.
Financial assistance may be available to you depending
on the types of challenges. The conservation plan,
conservation practice designs, and staff expertise are a
free service that NRCS provides.
“Conservation is a collaborative effort and NRCS
is driven by locally-led conservation that starts with
landowners choosing to work with us,” said Louis
Aspey, State Conservationist. “NRCS partners with
both public and private organizations to share expertise
and leverage the ability to create an impact well beyond
what we could accomplish on our own. These efforts
keep our land and water clean, and promote economic
growth in agriculture.”
NRCS seeks opportunities to work with partners
who can assist in the delivery of conservation. NRCS
and West Virginia Farm Bureau have entered into an
agreement to showcase farmers and their land in the West
Virginia Farm Bureau News. These farms demonstrate
conservation and innovative ways to meet the daily
challenges faced on the farm. Over the next several issues
of West Virginia Farm Bureau News, you will see articles
appearing in the magazine that highlight these farms and
how they have used NRCS recommendations to improve