United States Department of Agriculture 2008 Farm Bill (Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008) New Opportunities for Forestry-related Conservation Assistance to Private Landowners Indiana Forests in the Farm Bill Implementation Workshop April 23, 2009

United States Department of Agriculture Presenters: NRCS - Shannon Zezula, Teresah Caire, Ken Collins, Jill Reinhart FSA - Gail Peas IDNR DOF – Zach Smith New Opportunities for Forestry-related Conservation Assistance to Private Landowners

United States Department of Agriculture Workshop participants will recognize: 1.The importance of forest management plans 2.USDA eligibility requirements and sign-up process 3.Key forestry-related provisions in the 2008 Farm Bill, and how landowners can apply for specific programs in Indiana 4.Information they can use to outreach to landowners through workshops/webinars, one-on- one meetings, etc. Presentation Objectives Indiana Forests in the Farm Bill Implementation Workshop

United States Department of Agriculture Create your Plan Sign-up with USDA Find a Program for you Steps to USDA Conservation Assistance Other Farm Bill Programs

United States Department of Agriculture Steps to USDA Conservation Assistance 1. Create your Plan

United States Department of Agriculture 1.Create Your Plan Work with a Professional Forester OPTIONS: Forest Stewardship Plan –From IDNR Div. of Forestry –Meets requirements for Farm Bill programs Other forestry plans –Foresters listed with NRCS as a TSP –ACF and SAF Certified Foresters –Consulting Foresters

United States Department of Agriculture 1.NRCS/EQIP Assistance to Develop a Plan = Forest Management Plan (106) Payment to get a plan developed Must have at least 10 acres of forest land after plan is implemented Must use a certified Technical Service Provider (TSP)

United States Department of Agriculture NRCS Plan Alternatives Plan from the IN DNR Div. of Forestry Plan from a professional forester e.g. consultant Must meet NRCS Forest Management Plan Criteria for 106 Conservation Activity Plan

United States Department of Agriculture NRCS Plan Criteria Background and Site Information Location and map of parcel Documentation of existing practices Past harvest history Identification of resource concerns such as: plant condition (TSI), soil erosion, sensitive areas e.g. wetlands, streams, invasive species

United States Department of Agriculture NRCS Plan Criteria Client Objectives, which may include these and others: Potential income Forest stand improvement Tree planting Wildlife habitat/riparian areas Recreation

United States Department of Agriculture NRCS Plan Criteria Existing Conditions: Identify resource concerns ID forest stand boundaries Treatment alternatives Species info. volume, size classes, basal area Invasive species Sensitive areas, streams, wetlands, etc.

United States Department of Agriculture NRCS Plan Criteria Desired Future Conditions: Species composition Basal area

United States Department of Agriculture NRCS Plan Criteria Document landowners decisions: Separate sheet and a reference map Location, size (acres), practices Planned implementation date using NRCS practice codes TSI must meet EQIP criteria, 10 sq. ft. of Basal Area Removed and/or 30 vines removed per acres

United States Department of Agriculture Go to: offices.usda.gov Click on your State Click on your CountyGet Contact Info and Directions 2. Sign-up with USDA

United States Department of Agriculture 2. Sign-Up with USDA - Eligibility Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) Limitation Limits conservation benefits - persons or legal entities with avg. non-farm AGI less than $1 million –Exceptions: unless 2/3 of average total AGI is from farming, ranching, or forestry Limitation may be waived: if environmentally sensitive land of special significance is protected

United States Department of Agriculture 2. Sign-Up with USDA - Eligibility Conservation Compliance All persons receiving USDA benefits must certify compliance with USDA highly erodible land and wetland compliance provisions.

United States Department of Agriculture 2. Sign-Up with USDA - Eligibility Payment Limitation Payments limited by direct attribution to persons and entities Each USDA program has specific payment limitation levels

United States Department of Agriculture 2. Sign-up with USDA – Application Process Participant Eligibility forms at USDA Service Center: –Adjusted Gross Income Statement (CCC-926) –Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Determination (AD-1026) –Entity Member Disclosure (CCC-901) Participant information: into Service Center Information Management System (SCIMS ID) –Name, address, etc. –Farm and Tract Number (need deed) Complete program application and submit to NRCS or FSA

United States Department of Agriculture Find a Program for you - types 3. Working Lands Conservation

United States Department of Agriculture NRCS –Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) –Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) –Conservation Security Program (CSP) 3. Find a Program for You – Working Lands Conservation

United States Department of Agriculture EQIP (NRCS) Funds available to address existing natural resource concerns Participant must have at least $1000 of gross farm products sold, or expected to be sold. –Nonindustrial private forest land (NIPF) is eligible if it meets this definition, or has a Forest Management Plan, or has had improvements completed (trees planted, FSI, etc.) 3. Find a Program for You – Working Lands Conservation

United States Department of Agriculture EQIP (NRCS) Assistance for wide range of forestry-related conservation practices Applications accepted throughout the year Participants enter into a contract to implement one or more practices A forest management plan is required for NIPF (could be an existing Forest Stewardship or other forestry plan), 3. Find a Program for You – Working Lands Conservation

United States Department of Agriculture EQIP (NRCS) Forestry Practices Forest Management Plan (106) FY09 Rates (one plan per FSA tract): less than 20 ac $ ac $ ac $413

United States Department of Agriculture Forest Stand Improvement (666) Minimum of 10 acres –At least: 200 diameter inches/acre, –or 10 sq. ft. of Basal Area/acre, –or at least 30 grapevines/acre must be needed to be removed to be eligible. Forest management plan required $34 per acre FY09 payment rate EQIP (NRCS) Forestry Practices

United States Department of Agriculture Forest Trails and Landings (655) Minimum 10 acres Forest management plan required $317 per acre FY09 payment rate Payment only for the actual treatment acres. EQIP (NRCS) Forestry Practices

United States Department of Agriculture Pest Management (595) Must have a Forest Management Plan Japanese and Bush Honeysuckle, Ailanthus, Multi-Flora Rose, Buckthorn Autumn Olive, Periwinkle $77 per acre FY09 payment rate – eligible for up to 3 payments EQIP (NRCS) Forestry Practices

United States Department of Agriculture EQIP (NRCS) Forestry Practices Tree & Shrub Establishment (612) After implementation, contiguous acres must =: –Upland =10 ac; Bottomland or Wetland = 5 ac 1 acre minimum Forest management plan required FY09 Payment rate (per acre): $395 - cropland, $321 - pastureland

United States Department of Agriculture Riparian Forest Buffer (391) $407 per acre FY09 payment rate Windbreak/Shelterbelt Est. (380) $0.58 per lineal foot FY09 payment rate EQIP (NRCS) Forestry Practices

United States Department of Agriculture WHIP (NRCS) Assistance to develop wildlife habitat, including T&E species. Eligibility Changes: private ag land, NIPF, Tribal land, (govt. land NOT eligible) 3. Find a Program for You – Working Lands Conservation

United States Department of Agriculture Pest Management (595) Kudzu Shrubs and Vines Grasses Payment rates based upon 100% infestation Percent cover is estimated and prorated payment is applicable WHIP (NRCS) Forestry Practices

United States Department of Agriculture Pest Management (595) Kudzu Plan will be developed by IDNR-Div. of Entomology Maximum of 3 acres unless approved by NRCS Payment rates: Year 1 - $2325 Year 2 - $1275 Year 3 - $1275 Year 4 - $750 Year 5 - $500 WHIP (NRCS) Forestry Practices

United States Department of Agriculture Pest Management (595) Shrubs and Vines Species Include: Asian Bush Honeysuckle, Tree of Heaven, Glossy Buckthorn, Multi-flora Rose, Japanese Honeysuckle, Periwinkle FY09 Payment Rates: Year 1 - $516;Year 2 - $299; Year 3 - $149 WHIP (NRCS) Practices

United States Department of Agriculture Riparian Forest Buffer (391) $400 per acre payment rate Tree Shrub Establishment (612) $383 per acre payment rate Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment (380) $0.66 per lineal foot payment rate WHIP (NRCS) Forestry Practices

United States Department of Agriculture CSP (NRCS) Forestry Practices Focus is on additional conservation activities and to maintain, improve, manage existing activities Final Rules are still under development, but Non- Industrial Private Forest Land is expected to be eligible

United States Department of Agriculture Find a Program for you - types 3. Conservation Easement/ Reserve

United States Department of Agriculture 3. Find a Program for You – Conservation Easement/Reserve NRCS –Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) –Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) Farm Service Agency (FSA) –Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Forest Service in cooperation with IN DNR Forestry –Forest Legacy Program

United States Department of Agriculture HFRP (NRCS) Restore and enhance forest ecosystems through easements, 30-year contracts, and 10-year cost share agreements: 1.Promote recovery of T&E species 2.Improve plant and animal diversity 3.Enhance carbon sequestration $1 million AGI limit does not apply to HFRP 3. Find a Program for You – Conservation Easement/Reserve

United States Department of Agriculture HFRP (NRCS) In Indiana, only in the St. Joseph River (Maumee) Watershed Focus - biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and habitat for: –Copperbelly Watersnake –Indiana Bat –Mussels 3. Find a Program for You – Conservation Easement/Reserve

United States Department of Agriculture WRP (NRCS) Assistance to restore and protect wetlands through permanent or 30-year easements and/or restoration cost-share agreements Eligible lands include floodplain forests Existing forestland is eligible if considered a component of the wetland being protected (buffer or forested wetlands) Governments not eligible Ownership change within 7 years – not eligible 3. Find a Program for You – Conservation Easement/Reserve

United States Department of Agriculture WRP (NRCS) 3 million acre cap through 2012 (~ 766,000 new acres) FY 2009 – up to 250,000 acres In Indiana, easement payments range from $1,000 - $4,687 (depending on county cap) 3. Find a Program for You – Conservation Easement/Reserve

United States Department of Agriculture CRP (FSA) CRP consists of two types of signups: general and continuous Land offered for enrollment must be cropland and have cropping history (as determined by FSA) CRP provides producers with cost-share for establishment, annual rental payments and incentives for certain practices. 3. Find a Program for You – Conservation Easement/Reserve

United States Department of Agriculture CRP (FSA) – “General Sign-Up” ‘Whole-Field’ National Competition Only available during announced sign-up periods (none anticipated in FY09) Eligible Forestry-Related Practices –CP3A (Hardwood Tree Planting) –CP3 (Softwood Tree Planting) –CP25 (Rare and Declining Habitat) –CP32 (Tree Planting on Marginal Pastureland) 3. Find a Program for You – Conservation Easement/Reserve

United States Department of Agriculture CRP (FSA) – “Continuous Sign-Up” Land determined automatically eligible due to ‘Environmentally-Sensitive’ Automatic funding if eligibility is met –Some practices also eligible on Marginal Pastureland and Wellhead Protection areas Available continuously with additional incentives and payments 3. Find a Program for You – Conservation Easement/Reserve

United States Department of Agriculture CRP (FSA) – “Continuous Sign-Up” Eligible Forestry-Related Practices –CP3 and CP3A (Tree Plantings in Wellhead Protection Areas) –CP5A (Windbreaks) –CP16A (Shelterbelts) –CP17A (Living Snow Fence) –CP22 (Riparian Forest Buffer) Also eligible on Marginal Pastureland –CP23, CP23A, CP27/CP28 (Wetlands with Riparian Buffers) –CP30 (Wetland Buffer on Marginal Pastureland) –CP31 (Hardwood Tree Establishment on Wetlands) –CP38C (SAFE – Indiana Bat Habitat) 3. Find a Program for You – Conservation Easement/Reserve

United States Department of Agriculture 3. Find a Program for You – Conservation Easement/Reserve SAFE (State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement) –Continuous CRP program available in four priority areas in Indiana which were determined based on state threatened and endangered species. –Forestland restoration is the focus of the Indiana Bat priority area –Continuous CRP practice CP38C

United States Department of Agriculture 3. Find a Program for You – Conservation Easement/Reserve Tree Thinning of CRP Practices –New provision provided in 2008 Farm Bill – will be available later in –Provides cost-share to perform tree thinning, prescribed burning, pruning and vegetation management necessary to improve the condition on the land –CRP practices eligible for tree thinning include: CP3, CP3A, CP4B, CP5A, CP11, CP16, CP31, CP32, CP38C –FSA will provide cost-share to participant and annual rental payment will not be reduced. In addition participant can make commercial use of the forest refuse.

United States Department of Agriculture CREP (FSA) – “Continuous Sign-Up” Partnership between USDA and State of Indiana FSA provides cost-share, annual rental payment and incentives. Plus an additional 40% annual rental payment incentive is available. State of Indiana provides a $400/A incentive for forestry practices ($100/A for other practices) Land must be located within three priority watersheds and meet all other CRP eligibility requirements. Available until the acreage cap is met (7,000 Acres) Eligible Forestry Practices –CP22 (Riparian Forest Buffer) and CP3A (as an aquatic a buffer) –CP23 and CP23A (Wetlands) –CP31 (Hardwood Tree Plantings on Wetlands) 3. Find a Program for You – Conservation Easement/Reserve

United States Department of Agriculture 3. Find a Program for You – Conservation Easement/Reserve CREP (FSA) – “Continuous Sign-Up” Available Watersheds for CREP:

United States Department of Agriculture 3. Find a Program for You – Conservation Easement/Reserve Forest Legacy (USFS) In cooperation with IN DNR Forestry Grants to States to protect important forest areas Conservation easements and fee-simple purchases National competitive selection process 6,422 acres protected to date in Indiana

United States Department of Agriculture Find a Program for you - types 3. Wood Energy

United States Department of Agriculture 3. Find a Program for You – Wood Energy BCAP Biomass Crop Assistance Program (FSA) Assistance for establishment, production, harvest, storage and transport of renewable biomass Requires: –Establishment of BCAP project areas –Producer contracts with USDA: Non Industrial Private Forestland is eligible Payments: –Annual contract payments to producers in BCAP –Delivery payments to collect or harvest eligible materials delivered to conversion facility in BCAP project area. Approximately 2010 before program is available.

United States Department of Agriculture 4. Other Farm Bill Programs Landscape/Watershed & Innovation Opps. Emergency Programs State Technical Committees & Technical Service Providers

United States Department of Agriculture 4. Other Farm Bill Programs - Landscape/Watershed & Innovation Opportunities NRCS –Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) –Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)

United States Department of Agriculture CCPI (NRCS) Address conservation priorities in targeted geographic areas on a local, state, multi- state, regional level. NIPF is eligible Priority is given to applications that –leverage non-Federal resources and coordinate with local, State, or Federal efforts 4. Other Farm Bill Programs - Landscape/Watershed & Innovation Opportunities

United States Department of Agriculture CCPI (NRCS) Operates under the specific program rule (EQIP, WHIP, CSP) Directs 6 percent of funds in EQIP & WHIP and 6% of CSP acres for conservation activities Projects selected competitively Request for Proposals due to Indiana NRCS by April 23, Other Farm Bill Programs - Landscape/Watershed & Innovation Opportunities

United States Department of Agriculture CIG (NRCS) Stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies FY 2009 – up to $20 million available for national competition. Four CIG categories in FY 2009: –Natural Resource Concerns (includes Forest Health) –Technology –Chesapeake Bay Watershed –Grant Leveraging 4. Other Farm Bill Programs - Landscape/Watershed & Innovation Opportunities

United States Department of Agriculture 4. Other Farm Bill Programs Landscape/Watershed & Innovation Opps. Emergency Programs State Technical Committees & Technical Service Providers

United States Department of Agriculture 4. Other Farm Bill Programs - Emergency Programs NRCS –Floodplain Easement Program (FEP) Operates under Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) FSA –Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP)

United States Department of Agriculture FEP (NRCS) Available to lands that have flooded at least once in the last 12 months, or at least twice in the last 10 years. Funding subject to appropriation. Permanent Easements and restoration costs (100%) to restore floodplain functions and values 4. Other Farm Bill Programs - Emergency Programs

United States Department of Agriculture EFRP (FSA) Available to Non-Industrial Private Forest owners to restore landscapes damaged by fire, drought, flood, & other natural disasters. Funding subject to appropriation. Funds available until expended. Up to 75% cost-share. Regulations to be issued within 1 year of enactment 4. Other Farm Bill Programs - Emergency Programs

United States Department of Agriculture 4. Other Farm Bill Programs Landscape/Watershed & Innovation Opps. Emergency Programs State Technical Committees & Technical Service Providers

United States Department of Agriculture 4. Other Farm Bill Programs - Opportunities for Foresters/Forestry NRCS State Technical Committees Technical Service Providers (TSPs)

United States Department of Agriculture State Technical Committees (NRCS) 2008 Farm Bill expanded agricultural and forestry involvement on committees NIPF owners are now explicitly members of State Technical Committees and Local Working Groups Indiana State Technical Committee represented by IDNR Division of Forestry, US Forest Service, Tree Farm. 4. Other Farm Bill Programs - Opportunities for Foresters/Forestry

United States Department of Agriculture TSPs (NRCS) TSPs are certified professionals qualified to provide technical services to USDA customers For info: 4. Other Farm Bill Programs – Opportunities for Foresters/Forestry

United States Department of Agriculture TSPs (NRCS) Opportunity for to write forest management plans AND/OR to Provide Technical Assistance to Implement Forestry Practices 4. Other Farm Bill Programs - Opportunities for Foresters/Forestry

United States Department of Agriculture KEY POINTS There are new opportunities for landowners to apply for forestry-related assistance through USDA programs. To learn more about programs and priorities: Participate on your State Technical Committee and contact agency officials. Please use this information to outreach to landowners through workshops/webinars, one-on- one contacts, etc. Indiana Forests in the Farm Bill Implementation Workshop

United States Department of Agriculture Questions?