|
|
 |
|
 |
The Trust has programs that:
- Demonstrate when agriculture and conservation thrive together, agricultural profitability is enhanced and conservation of natural resources and societal benefits are realized.
- Complement and enhance other land protection options currently available.
- Assist beginning farmers and ranchers in acquiring land in exchange for implementing conservation practices.
- Acquire interest in land through easement or fee title acquisition.
- Promote appropriate long-term land use planning and protection of unique or threatened areas, such as along the Missouri River corridor.
- Provide better protection to wetlands and their watersheds by providing cost-share incentives to producers for boundary and cross fencing, seeding, wetland restoration and creation.
- Assist with cost share and other incentives for producers enrolled in certain farm bill programs.
- Provide better understanding of conservation and agricultural roles in North Dakota’s youth and adults through educational books, demonstrations, tours, workshops, and camps.
Find out more about our programs below.
Kenner Marsh - Sometimes called the Grand Harbor Project, this program is designated for the management and operation of land in Ramsey County. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department currently manages the land for maximum water storage and wildlife benefits.
Maple River Drift Prairie - The program was developed to start conservation practices (wetland restoration, grazing systems, no-till drill, incentive programs, and easements) on Trust owned and private property in southeast North Dakota. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department and cooperating landowners manage the property.
Conservation Agriculture - A program focused in the drift prairie region of North Dakota which focuses on four demonstration farms. The goals of the project are to produce crops on the prime soils and dedicate fewer productive soils to alternative uses. Farmers, wildlife conservationists, and farm agencies will come to a greater understanding of landscape functions and agree on a means to protect the natural resources while maintaining a profitable farm economy.
Efficiency Incentive Program (EIP) - Devils Lake Basin - An EPA grant originally funded the EIP program to start private land agreements in the Devils Lake basin for wetland conservation and water storage. Currently no new contracts are being accepted.
EIP/ASAP - Devils Lake Basin - A 1999 program in cooperation with the ND State Water Commission for water storage in the Devils Lake basin. Currently no new contracts are being accepted.
Whole Farm Program - This program is designed to help landowners with cost sharing on projects that lead to more sustainable agriculture. Projects included are grazing systems to restore and manage grasslands, converting crop land to rangeland, fencing, converting CRP to grazing land, restoring wetlands, creating wetlands, managing wetlands for forage production, establishing wetland buffers, managing the residue on crop land, and managing saline areas.
Midterm Conservation Easements - Conservation easements are the purchasing of the property rights to restrict the conservation of wetland and grassland habitats to crop land. The governor of North Dakota has given the Trust the opportunity to make 12 conservation easement offers. The pilot program is based on sound biological data and provides time alternatives when placing an easement on private property. The Trust's easement program will offer 30- and 50-year terms, payment flexibility, a total and partial buyback provision, and greater flexibility on the easement contract.
Information Sheet & 2003 Update
Beginning Farmer - The future of North Dakota's agricultural economy and our tradition of family farms is dependent upon young family farmers entering the business of production agriculture. Equally inherent in a robust, sustainable future for the state are agricultural practices based on good land stewardship that preserve and enhance the state's natural resources. Together with the state's existing Beginning Farmer Real Estate Loan Program and the North Dakota First Time Farmer Finance Program, the Natural Resources Trust offers a combination of conservation practices and financial incentives to help young people enter the business. Specifically, the project offers financial incentives, such as down payment assistance, interest rates buy down, payment of loan fees and/or real estate transaction fees, and assistance with other fees on a case-by-case basis.
Beginning Farmer brochure
Farm Bill Programs - These programs were developed to provide incentives to producers enrolling land into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Both wetland restoration and native grass seeding incentives have helped landowners financially. The Trust has expanded these opportunities to all Farm Bill Programs.
Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) - A statewide program created to explore opportunities within the USDA's Wetland Reserve Program and promote it through the Trust and other agencies. The Trust has purchased two properties through the WRP program, the Robert L. Morgan Wildlife Management Area in Wells County and the Walhalla WRP in Pembina County.
WRP Projects
Missouri River Riparian - A program used to create new opportunities for the expanded mission regarding riparian areas. The program allows for coordinating with new partners and developing potential project ideas.
Farm & Ranch Lands Protection
West River Grasslands - A program used to create new opportunities for the expanded mission concerning grasslands. The program allows for coordinating with new partners and developing potential project ideas.
|
|
|
