never considered before,” says Oates. “This partnership often leads to more benefi cial impact on conservation activities that relate to the goals and objectives of their operation.” One of the many goals of agricultural landowners
is to maintain the profi tability of their ranches. Con- servation practices, while benefi cial for fi re prevention and resource longevity, may sometimes look like a cost that ranchers just cannot afford. The NRCS has programs to help with that, too.
Providing fi nancial assistance available through 2014 Farm Bill programs is one of the many ways for cattle producers to make fi re mitigation and conservation practices possible. One of the most popular programs that helps agricultural producers secure fi nancial as- sistance for fi rebreaks, prescribed burning and wild- fi re prevention projects, is the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). EQIP encourages producers to address resource con-
cerns by improving, maintaining and managing con- servation activities — prescribed burning and wildfi re mitigation included. To be eligible for EQIP or other fi nancial assistance programs available through NRCS, records must be maintained with the local Farm Service
Agency. From there, producer and land eligibility can be determined with the help of a local NRCS offi ce. Oates says beginning the relationship with the local
NRCS offi ce is the fi rst step. According to Oates, ranch- ers often come into the offi ce looking for a particular program or service, but after working with local staff, they determine the perfect combination of programs and technical assistance that will work best for their operation.
More than technical assistance “It’s a relationship,” says Oates. “We are a people
organization so it’s all about communication, work- ing with one another and developing those long-term relationships.” After a program for fi nancial assistance is determined
and an application is submitted, a local NRCS specialist will go out to the property and look at the resources, assess the current situation and risks, and determine alternatives for the landowner to select which match his or her future goals. Then an actual conservation plan for the selected
practices, such as a prescribed burn, is written. As a non-regulatory federal agency, NRCS works with land-
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www.Bradley3Ranch.com 940) 585-6471
(940) 585-6171 Minnie Lou Bradley (806) 888-1062
tscra.org
December 2016 The Cattleman 59
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