Funding Available through the Nebraska Buffer Strip Program

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture announced last week that funding is still available to install buffer strips through the Nebraska Buffer Strip Program.

Cropland adjacent to seasonal and perennial streams, wetlands or ponds are eligible for the Buffer Strip Program. Two kinds of buffer strips are eligible - filter strips, which are narrow strips of grass; and riparian forest buffer strips containing trees and grass.

The program was designed to be used in conjunction with the USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), however it can be used by itself, as well. Rental rates are calculated as follows:

· For irrigated cropland, rental rates are $150 per acre minus payments from other programs.

· For non-irrigated cropland without CRP, the rental rate per acre is equal to 120% of the average CRP soil rental rate plus $5 per acre, up to a maximum of $150 per acre.

· Non-irrigated cropland enrolled in CRP is no longer eligible.

There is no sign-up period. Landowners may sign up at any time, but this funding is available to eligible landowners on a first come first serve basis.

Interested landowners should contact their local Natural Resources District or USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service office to begin the application process.

February 16, 2006