Cost-Share Program
Soil erosion threatens one of our richest and most abundant resources – our land.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Soil and Water Districts Commission has developed the cost-share program to help farmers and landowners install erosion control practices. Funds for the program come from the one-tenth-of-one-percent Parks and Soils Tax approved by voters.
The cost-share program is administered by local Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
How can Soil and Water Conservation Districts help?
Districts are organized and operated by local citizens who promote protection, maintenance, improvement and wise use of the soil and water resources within their counties. Districts also serve to inform landowners about soil conservation programs.
A five member board of supervisors governs each district.
Four members, who must own farms in the district, are selected to office; the
fifth is an ex-officio member appointed by the
What is the Cost-Share program?
Cost-share offers landowners financial incentives to apply conservation practices they would not under take on their own. The costs of these conservation measures are shared by the landowner and by the general public to reduce excessive soil erosion and to assure the continued productivity of our soil.
Who qualifies for Cost-Share?
Owners of private farmland within an established soil and water conservation district are eligible for cost-share funds.
The landowner must have an active conservation plan approved by the district. A conservation plan outlines a landowner’s decisions on how to most effectively use his or her land and how to treat it to maintain or improve the soil, water and related resources.
The landowner also must agree to maintain the cost-share project for a specified period of time. This maintenance agreement will be binding on the landowner who receives the cost-share payment for a period of 5-10 years, depending on the practice. District supervisors may record the agreement with the county clerk to maintain a record of the public’s investment in conservation practices.
What are the procedures for Cost-Share?
Qualified landowners may apply through their local Soil and Water Conservation District office to receive funds for eligible practices contained in the landowners’ conservation plans. District supervisors review landowner applications and conservation plans, and will consider the needs of each landowner, the district’s priorities and the practicality of the project. Following the review, supervisors will select those applications that qualify for cost-share funds.
A claim for payment, accompanied by proof of expenditures, will be filed by the landowner after the project or practice has been installed. The claim will be reviewed by the board of supervisors and then forwarded to the Soil and Water Districts Commission, which assists the districts at the state level, for processing. Reimbursement will come directly from the state.
Which land gets priority for Cost-Share?
The district will give priority to those projects most effective in reducing erosion or to those areas of the county with the greatest need for erosion control. The site must be experiencing active gully erosion or be losing topsoil at a rate above the tolerable level.
What practices are eligible for Cost-Share?
The list of eligible practices consists of various proven soil and water conservation techniques identified by the Soil and Water Districts Commission. Landowners can obtain the list at their local district office. Practice lists vary form county to county and may vary from year to year.
What is the Cost-Share rate?
For those projects and practices where installation costs are high, up to 75% of all necessary costs incurred by a landowner may be shared. Such costs may include machinery hire, needed materials delivered and used at the site and labor required to install the practice.
The NRCS county average cost list will be used to determine the estimated cost of each component of the practice. Reimbursement will be 75% of the estimated or actual cost, whichever is less. Grundy County landowners are allowed to be on the cost-share list twice at any given time. The applications can be submitted individually or both can used for one practice if the costs exceed the maximum application amount. A landowner's name may be resubmitted to the list after an application is utilized.
Where can I find more information on the Cost-Share program?
Visit your local Soil and Water Conservation District office. They can help you apply for the program.
This information provided by:
Missouri Department
of Natural Resources