By MEGGIE I. FOSTER

Assistant Editor

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — In an effort to boost Hoosier interest in conservation, Indiana Agriculture Director Andy Miller recently announced the formation of a new partnership to offer farmers assistance in developing a successful on-farm plan for conservation.
“Clearly in the last year we’ve seen unprecedented growth in the ag economy, and as we grow we understand the importance of protecting our natural resources,” Miller said. “So there is no better way of doing that than encouraging growth in conservation programs. We want to be just as aggressive in promoting conservation as we are for doubling pork production.
With a renewed focus on conservation, on Feb. 19, the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA), the State Soil Conservation Board, Indiana Crop Consultant Advisors and 31 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) officially piloted the Conservation Consultant Incentive program. The new program offers nearly $200,000 in financial incentives to Hoosier crop consultants, conservation planners, private companies and SWCDs to inform farmers and landowners in specific areas within the Wabash River Tributary about available conservation programs and practices that reduce nutrient and sediment loss.
Examples of specific practices or programs Miller and the partnership hope will spur interest among farmers include the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and a comprehensive nutrient management program, just to name a few.
“There is an alphabet soup of programs available out there, farmers just need to work with their crop consultant and local SWCD to craft the best plan that suits them,” he explained.
According to Miller, the initiative is a new effort in Indiana to educate more farmers and landowners across the state on the programs and funding available to implement on-farm conservation practices such as buffer strips, waterways and cover crops.
“We have realized that a lot of landowners weren’t aware of the many conservation programs available for them,” Miller explained.
“So with this program, and an existing group of individuals that regularly works with farmers, we’re hopeful that we can get the message out and practices in place.”
Miller said that Indiana has been “left out” of the conservation equation over the past several years, receiving far less funding for programs such as the CREP than Ohio, who received nearly $350 million in incentives last year.
“If there are federal programs available out there, we don’t want Indiana to be left out again,” stated Miller, who hopes Indiana will request at least $20 million in conservation dollars this year.
Benefits for consultants, farmers
Since the program is a pilot, Miller indicated that the $200,000 in state incentives will be available until the end of 2008, when the State Soil Conservation Board will re-evaluate the initiative’s success and “make it available to other parts of the state.”
According to Miller, the crop consultants receive a financial incentive to promote specific conservation practices and by applying for federal funds farmers receive a monetary incentive to implement the recommended practices.
“The biggest incentive for this program is not only the fact that we are able to better protect our natural resources, but there is a fairly significant amount of federal funding available for farmers to take advantage of here,” he added.
For more information or to begin an on-farm plan for conservation, contact a local crop consultant or visit ISDA online at www.in.gov/isda