The Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department (LWCD) has funding available to landowners and farmers for a variety of conservation projects. The projects must prevent erosion, enhance soil health, or protect the water quality of our lakes and streams. LWCD staff are available to assist interested citizens who have erosion or water-quality concerns on their property by making site visits and providing expert technical advice. All programs require a contract with the LWCD prior to implementation.
The LWCD receives funding from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture for a variety of conservation practices including closure of unused wells, barnyard run-off control systems, grassed waterways, closure of unused manure storage, nutrient-management plans, and shoreline erosion control. Many other projects can also be cost-shared. The payment rates vary depending on the practice with most practices cost-shared at 70%, some at 50%, and some at a flat rate.
The LWCD also can fund pasture establishment, cover crops, harvestable buffers/filter strips, and field borders. These practices provide cover to the land and ultimately do a great job of reducing phosphorus delivery to our waterways. Funding comes from multiple sources including the Jefferson County Soil Builders and The Nature Conservancy. Rates are as follows:
- Pasture Establishment: $220 per acre of crop ground converted to pasture; 40-acre maximum which can be split over multiple years
- Multi-Species Cover Crops: $60 per acre; maximum of 80 acres
- Single-Species Cover Crops: $30 per acre; maximum of 150 acres
- Cover Crop Mentor: Free advice (such as species selection and termination options) from a farmer experienced with cover crops
- Harvestable Buffer/Filter Strip: $225 per acre; required to be maintained for 5 years; minimum 30 feet and maximum 150 feet (size to be determined with LWCD staff)
- Harvestable Field Borders: $225 per acre; minimum of 15 feet
Additional Funding
The LWCD also applies for funding on behalf of landowners from the Department of Natural Resources Healthy Lakes and Rivers program. The practices available are projects that improve habitat and water quality on properties that are within 1,000 feet of lakes and 300 feet of rivers/streams. They include native plant gardens adjacent to water, rain gardens, diversions to direct water run-off from being discharged to waterways, rock trenches to infiltrate water from impervious surfaces, and upland trees placed in lakes to provide fish and wildlife habitat.
Cost-sharing for these projects is 75% of the total cost up to a maximum of $1,000.
Leave a Reply