USDA Initiative Is A Conservation Opportunity For Animal Feeding Operations In Tennessee

State Conservationist Kevin Brown is announcing a new Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) initiative for Tennessee. The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is making funds available for CNMPs developed by private-sector Technical Service Providers (TSPs).

The State Conservationist says it is an excellent opportunity for owners of animal feeding operations. “A CNMP is a conservation system plan that is unique to animal feeding operations. Implementation of a CNMP results in healthier animals and cleaner land and water," said Brown. A CNMP includes a set of conservation practices and management activities that address natural resource concerns dealing with manure and organic by-products and their potential impacts on water quality. Listings of Technical Service Providers who are certified to develop a CNMP in a specific state and county can be found on the TechReg website at http://techreg.usda.gov.

Applications will be accepted starting in April 2007 on a continuous basis. Funding selections will be made on a regular basis from now through July 31, 2007. Unsuccessful applications will be maintained for future funding consideration if the applicant chooses to remain on the waiting list. Existing or new 2007 EQIP contracts are also eligible to have the CNMP item added through a contract modification. Any 2007 EQIP contract that is livestock related and currently needs a CNMP is eligible for the CNMP initiative. This practice is not available for prior year contracts. Individuals with a prior year EQIP contract would need to sign up for a new contract under the CNMP initiative.

In order to be eligible for the payment, the producer must acquire a TSP who is registered for CNMP planning in TechReg (http://techreg.usda.gov). NRCS will not approve a contract until the applicant provides the name of the TSP and certification that the CNMP will be written and delivered within one year after the contract is approved. All contracts must be developed by July 31, 2007. After contract approval, the participant will be responsible for working with the Technical Service Provider to get the CNMP written. When the CNMP is completed and accepted by NRCS, the incentive payment will be made to the contract participant. The participant will then be responsible for paying the TSP for the CNMP. The CNMP provided by the Technical Service Provider must meet the requirements as outlined in the NRCS Statement of Work.