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NRCS Programs Provide Biofuel and Biomass Opportunities for Producers

NRCS Programs Provide Biofuel and Biomass Opportunities for Producers. Switchgrass harvest for biofuels, Photo: NRCS Iowa. NRCS Incentives for Conservation with Biofuel Production Potential. NRCS Kentucky has assisted in the establishment of over 100,000 acres of native grasses in State.

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NRCS Programs Provide Biofuel and Biomass Opportunities for Producers

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  1. NRCS Programs Provide Biofuel and Biomass Opportunities for Producers Switchgrass harvest for biofuels, Photo: NRCS Iowa

  2. NRCS Incentives for Conservationwith Biofuel Production Potential • NRCS Kentucky has assisted in the establishment of over 100,000 acres of native grasses in State. • Technical assistance • Cost share • Incentive payments • Long-term • Easement programs Mowing Switchgrass, NRCS

  3. FSA’s Conservation Reserve Program and Green River CREP • 2001, KY and USDA – Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) • Enhanced version of CRP (FSA administered) • Green River Watershed 917,000 ac. • Benefits: Annual rental, cost-share, incentive payments, voluntary easements • Contracts may last from 10 to 15 years • Grass buffers=biomass potential after contract period

  4. Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) • EQIP provides cost-share opportunities for the establishment of native grasses • 2009, KY NRCS set aside $200K in EQIP funds for a native grass initiative and • 2009, KY NRCS contracted 720 acres of native grass to be established • Considering Biofuel Initiative in 2010

  5. Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) • NRCS provides TA cost-share assistance to establish/improve fish and wildlife habitat including native grass establishment. • Cost-share agreements range from 1-10 years in length.

  6. CIGs –Conservation Innovation Grants EQIP funds – offered nationally Projects include emerging resource issues: energy production, energy conservation, and market-based conservation initiatives. 2008 grant - $5 million to eastern states to study benefits of switchgrass production. Mixed Native Grasses- Harvested for biofuel, NRCS TX

  7. 2009 CIGs Awarded $511,750: Point to Non-Point Source Nutrient Trading- buying and selling or nutrient credits. $500,000: Demonstrate and disseminate information on biofuel production from native grasslands.

  8. 2009 CIG Awarded • $500,000: BMP for nutrient reductions and carbon and nutrient trading • $257,261: Methods of biofuel production to enhance farm profitability NRCS biomass project

  9. NRCS Programs and Carbon Credits • Are CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) lands eligible to participate in carbon credit trading? • A. Yes, when no-till or conversion of cropland to grassland is completed. • Can WRP (Wetland Reserve Program) acres be enrolled in carbon credit trading? • The grass portion of WRP is eligible as long as the seeding occurred after January 1, 1999.

  10. Native Grasses = Diversification and Producer Protection Excellent forage/ hay source Commercial seed source Wildlife habitat Carbon Credit potential Erosion Control Water Quality Buffer Round bale of Switchgrass, NRCS

  11. Services: 1. Cost-share funding to establish native grasses, 2. On-the-farm technical assistance, 3. Short and long-term conservation and easement programs. Switchgrass Field – EQIP program, NRCS Switchgrass, CRP field, NRCS

  12. Farm Service Agency’s Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) • Phase 1: Matching payments for the cost of collection, harvest, storage and transportation (CHST) of eligible material by a qualified Biomass Conversion Facility (signup is currently underway) • Phase 2: Funds to establish crops for the conversion to bio-energy (rules still being written)

  13. Kentucky Division of Conservation/ Districts • State Cost-Share Program- assists landowners to protect soil and water resources, • Equipment Loan Program • low interest loans traditionally for conservation equipment, expanded to include- biomass pelletizers, specialized mowers, balers, etc. • Kentucky Ag Water Quality Act – landowners develop a water quality plan, conservation easements. • http://www.conservation.ky.gov/

  14. For more information… • Kentucky NRCS Webpage: http://www.ky.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ Mailing address: NRCS, Suite 210, 771 Corporate Drive, Lexington KY Field of Native Grasses, NRCS

  15. Burning -Mixed Native Grasses Indian Grass, WHIP contract Mowing Mixed Native Grasses, NRCS Chariton Valley Biofuel Project, Iowa Anita Arends, NRCS Phone: 859-224-7354 Email: anita.arends@ky.usda.gov

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