Photo Credit: Prairie strips bloom in the headwaters of the Bad Axe Watershed. Prairie plantings and other edge of field interventions that help reduce runoff and flooding are among the practices that have historically been supported through Farm Bill programs. Photo: Sydney Widell, Coon Creek Community Watershed Council
Farm Bill Biologist to Answer Federal Programming Questions at April Watershed Council Meeting
by Sydney Widell
Coon Creek Community Watershed Council
With massive cuts to federal programs calling agricultural conservation funding into question, and no long-term Farm Bill in place, there is widespread uncertainty regarding the future of programs that help farmers implement the land use practices critical to reducing flooding in the Driftless Area.
Luke Romance, Regional Farm Bill Biologist with Pheasants Forever, will discuss some of those practices and answer other questions about Farm Bill-funded programs at the CCCWC’s April 2 meeting at the Coon Valley Conservation Club.
The CCCWC is a watershed conservation non-profit based in the Coon Creek Watershed. Our central interest is advancing awareness, accessibility, and adoption of land use practices that reduce flooding and support community thriving. These include practices like rotational grazing, planting cover crops, farming on the contour, establishing field borders, and more.
Federal programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (CRP), and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), have historically supported farmers in implementing conservation practices through access to technical assistance and financial assistance.
At the April 2 meeting, Luke will walk through the application processes for these programs, address current funding uncertainties, and take questions from attendees.
The meeting will start with a dinner at 6:00, followed by council updates and a presentation from Luke at 6:30. Also on the agenda are updates about our May 3rd Coon Creek Confluence celebration, and a chance to pick up a printed copy of our 2024 Annual Report.
The following CCCWC meeting is 6:00 April 30, at the Westby Rod and Gun Club (E7969 Co. Hwy P., Westby). Council meetings are free and open to all.