SD Dakota Skipper Project (Pollinator Planting)

What acres are eligible for this program?
• Enrollment is focused on creating and maintaining quality pollinator habitat. All acres that plan on utilizing burning, rotational grazing, or creating new pollinator focused habitat will be considered.

• Acres must be within the following counties in eastern SD: Marshall, Day, Clark, Beadle, Miner, McCook, Turner, Clay, Union, Minnehaha, Lincoln, Grant, Sanborn, Davison, Hanson, Hutchinson, Bon Homme, Yankton, Moody, Lake, Brookings, Deuel, Hamlin, Codington, Roberts, Kingsbury, Spink.

How is Pollinator Habitat defined?
• Newly created pollinator habitat – Requirements for seed mixes would be 25 native species with three species within each bloom period and no more than 50% native grasses.

What is the contract length?
• Contract length is 10 years. It is required that participants keep established pollinator habitat and fencing infrastructure in place for this period, with appropriate management during this period.

What are the cost-share rates?
• Establishing New Pollinator Habitat – Seed reimbursement of $200/acre.
• Prescribed Fire on established acres *cannot be enrolled in other C/S programs* – $48/acre
• Grazing Infrastructure – *must meet EQIP Standards*
o High Tensile Fence – up to $0.52/foot
o Multi-Strand Barbed Wire Fence – up to $0.87/foot

Are there any additional considerations for landowners?
• Landowners should be aware that reasonable access is requested for monitoring after establishment or practice implantation takes place.

Download the Application here: SDDSP Application 2025