Agricultural Incentives
The Board of Managers of the MFCRWD has adopted a policy of providing incentives to agricultural producers throughout the watershed for the implementation of Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) for water quality improvement. Projects that may be eligible for incentives include conservation buffers, wetland restorations, controlled drainage, feedlot upgrades, alternative tile intakes, ditch bank side inlets, sediment basins, nutrient management plans, riparian tree plantings, and streambank stabilization/restoration. Projects not listed may also qualify for incentives; please contact the District office with any questions.
| Type of Project | Cost-share & Incentive Options |
|---|---|
| Wetland Restoration: Construction or restoration of natural wetlands to provide the hydrological and biological benefits of a wetland | One-time payment of $500/acre (pool area) for perpetual easement |
| Up to 75% material/installation costs Incentive designed to supplement existing programs (DNR, Ducks Unlimited, etc.) | |
| Control Drainage (also called Conservation Drainage): Installation of a water control structures that allow farmer to regulate and adjust water levels | Up to 75% material/installation costs Incentive designed to supplement existing programs |
| Alternative Tile Intakes: A variety of tile intake systems that replace open intakes – can be Blind Tile Inlets, Rock Inlets, Hickenbottom Intakes, or others | May include up to 75% of material/installation |
| Ditch Bank Side Inlets: Structure used to control the grade and head cutting primarily in ditch banks | Up to 75% of material/installation costs |
| Or up to $500 per inlet to supplement existing programs | |
| Sediment Basins: Basin constructed to collect and store debris or sediment | Up to 75% of material/installation costs |
| Or up to $10,000 per inlet to supplement existing programs | |
| Nutrient Management Plan: strategies for the management of nutrients that result in water quality improvements | Designed to supplement NRCS incentives |
| Up to 15% of NRCS payment | |
| Riparian Tree Planting: Tree planting for stability and water quality improvement in riparian areas | Up to 75% of material/installation costs |
| Streambank Stabilization/ Restoration: Use of bioengineering to stabilize and restore streambanks | Up to 75% of material/installation costs |
| Cover Crop: a crop grown for the protection of soil and soil health and enrichment. | Up to 75% of material/installation costs |
| Supplemental incentive will be made of case-by-case basis | |
| Cover Crop consultation (advice getting cover crops into rotation, and cover crop selection) | |
| Soil Health Testing (infiltration testing) | |
| Conservation Buffers: Small areas of strips of land in permanent vegetation surrounding cropland (for private ditches) | One-time payment: (Subject to MIN/MAX size requirements) |
| $100/acre for 10-yr commitment | |
| $150/acre for 15-yr commitment | |
| $500/acre for perpetual easement | |
| Feedlot Upgrades: changes to feedlots designed to reduce impacts to water quality | Due to varying nature of feedlot upgrades, supplemental cost-share will be made on a case-by-case basis |
For more information on this program please contact District staff or refer to this handbook released by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture:
The Agricultural BMP Handbook for Minnesota
In an effort to promote acceptance of best management practices (BMPs) on agricultural land, the Middle Fork Crow River Watershed District Bard of Managers adopted a policy of providing financial incentives to agricultural producers for the implementation of agricultural BMPs that improve water quality. This program was designed to work with existing federal, state, and county programs so that producers may be eligible for incentives from multiple programs. The cost-share or incentive payments provided may be from grants, the District’s general fund, or a combination of funding sources. Funding is dictated by the availability of grant and general funds and is at the sole discretion of the MFCRWD Board of Managers. Incentives must be approved by the Board prior to project implementation. A list of projects, descriptions, and incentive options is available at the District office.
The incentives provided may come from grants, the District’s general fund, or a combination of funding sources. The incentives are designed to work with existing federal, state, and county programs.
Funding is dictated by the availability of grant and general funds and is at the sole discretion of the MFCRWD Board of Managers. Incentives must be approved by the Board prior to project implementation.