Working Grasslands Partnership
Ducks Unlimited
Introduction
US Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Conservation Service has partnered with Ducks Unlimited, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Audubon Great Plains, SD Soil Health Coalition and SD Grassland Coalition for the Working Grasslands Partnership RCPP project. The program is designed to incentivize planting marginally productive cropland acres back to grass, emphasizing working lands. Through RCPP we can facilitate annual incentive payments for the first three years of grass establishment, then allow haying or grazing in years 4-10 of the contract.
Application Deadline:
Open signup
How to Apply:
Interested participants can reach out directly to any field staff for Ducks Unlimited, SD Game, Fish and Parks, USFWS Partners for Wildlife, Audubon Great Plains, or SD Soil Health Coalition. Another option is to visit tinyurl.com/WGP-RCPP and submit the Google survey form and one of our groups will reach out to you.
Links & Resources:
Contact Information:
US
Back To All ResourcesThe Details
Interested participants can apply at any time. RCPP partners can provide technical and financial assistance for grass seeding plans. Through RCPP we can facilate an annual Grass Establishment Deferral Payment for the first three growing seasons after the grass has been seeded. The payment is based on the county average CRP rental rate. Grazing or haying of established grasslands are eligible and highly encouraged for the remainder of the 10-year contract lenght. Options are also available for livestock grazing infrastructure necessary to incorporate new pasture land into grazing systems (fence and water development).
Who’s Eligible?
Participants must be eligible to recieve USDA funding, must be planting cropland back to grass with one of the cooperating partners, and agree to retain habitats in the site for a 10-year period.
