Financial Assistance for Landowners
In a famous poem about Fall by Robert Frost, a weary farmer complains about the autumn chore of apple-picking when there’s too much fruit: “For I am overtired,” he says, “of the great harvest I myself desired.” What started out the previous spring as dreams of abundance has become, several months later, a nightmare of too much work.
The same is true for environmental work faced by Island landowners. Even simple dreams of improving your eco-stewardship—not to mention maintaining current good practices—can get overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the work involved.
There’s help available to ease the workload in this area, and—good news—you’ve already paid for it through your taxes. At least one government agency and one “special district” offer grants to accomplish eco-friendly work you’re doing, or plan to do, at your place. Some of your Island neighbors already receive this funding, and so can you.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service, a federal agency, funds landowner projects promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation. Two of NRCS’s programs (here come the government acronyms), CSP and EQIP, seem especially suited to work on the scale of Island landowners.
Let’s say you have some real concern about two things on your property that don’t exactly land in the “best practices” column: Your animals are getting into a stream, and invasive weeds are taking over your field. The EQIP program could pay for fencing the stream and removing the field’s invasives, then replanting it with native species. Or let’s say that you’re already improving some woods you own but need a little financial or motivational boost to keep up the good work. CSP funds may be available to pay you to keep going.
Best of all, a grant qualifies you for free technical assistance from NRCS. Once you qualify, agency scientists, such as wildlife biologists, will gladly walk your property with you, an exercise guaranteed to give you “fresh eyes” for your place. Ever wonder what an agronomist might recommend for plants that will thrive on your property? One from NRCS will come by and tell you. Interacting with these professionals is as much fun as it is a practical benefit. It also can really help with motivation.
A second source of funding is King Conservation District, the aforementioned “special district,” which offers grants through its Landowner Incentive Program. The KCD funding process is much the same as the one for federal funding. Agents will visit your property to see if you qualify for the program and, if you do, help you through the application process. LIP funding is on a cost-share basis—meaning, in this case, that KCD pays for 75% of the cost of a conservation practice, and you pick up the rest of the tab. You’ll also get expert advice from agents who’ll guide you while you undertake the funded practice. You can even do the work yourself and get paid for it by KCD.
