Sources of Financial Assistance

A wide variety of continually changing financial assistance programs are available. Because funding sources and requirements are frequently modified, the resource management specialists are receiving continuing training regarding programs and eligibility requirements for various sources such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Department of Agriculture (FSA, NRCS, Farm Bill sources), the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the state.

As a result of their financial assistance training, the specialists will be able to advise landowners of currently available programs and funding sources as well as provide assistance in the application process.

Animal Nutrient Systems

Money is available from the Watershed Planning Assistance Project for cost sharing on feedlot waste management design (animal nutrient systems for animal feeding operations). The project will pay 75 percent of the engineering design costs.

Resource Management Specialists can assist feedlot operators in developing an appropriate management plan. Once the plan reaches a stage requiring engineering design, consulting engineers under contract with the project will be used. The engineering services are cost shared by the project at a level of 75 percent. Additonal information is available on the Animal Feeding Operations page.

Program Neutral Planning Techniques

Feedlot management plans will be built using Program-Neutral Planning techniques. This means that no specific fund source will be targeted. The result is a plan that better fits the needs of the landowner and the resource by not limiting funding opportunities to a single source whose qualification requirements may frequently change.