The Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) in partnership with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), and Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) offer several cost-share assistance programs to landowners and operators in Montgomery County.
You may apply for all programs listed below concerning land in Montgomery County within our office.
Agricultural Resources Conservation Fund (ARCF)
The ARCF provides cost-share assistance to Tennessee landowners/operators to install Best Management Practices (BMPs) that reduce agricultural water pollution.
A wide range of BMPs are available for cost-share, from those that curtail soil erosion to those that help to remove pollutants from water runoff from agricultural operations. Landowners may be eligible to receive up to 75% of the cost of a BMP installation.
ARCF Cost Share Assistance Packet
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program is a voluntary conservation program that provides financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers who face threats to soil, water, air and related natural resources on their land. Through EQIP, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) develops contracts with agricultural producers to implement conservation practices to address environmental natural resource problems. Payments are made to producers once conservation practices are completed according to NRCS requirements.
Persons engaged in livestock or agricultural production and owners of non-industrial private forestland are eligible for the program. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, private non-industrial forestland, and other farm or ranch lands. Persons interested in entering into a cost-share agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for EQIP assistance may file an application at any time.
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is a voluntary program that encourages agricultural and forestry producers to address resource concerns by (1) undertaking additional conservation activities and (2) improving and maintaining existing conservation systems. CSP provides financial and technical assistance to help land stewards conserve and enhance soil, water, air, and related natural resources on their land.
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) provides technical and financial assistance to eligible farmers and ranchers to address soil, water, and related natural resources concerns on their lands in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner. The program provides assistance to farmers and ranchers in complying with Federal, State, and tribal environmental laws, and encourages environmental enhancement. The program is funded through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). CRP is administered by the Farm Service Agency, with NRCS providing technical land eligibility determinations, conservation planning and practice implementation. It encourages farmers to convert highly erodible cropland or other environmentally sensitive acreage to vegetative cover, such as tame or native grass, wildlife plantings, trees, filter strips, or riparian buffers. Farmers receive an annual rental payment for the term of the multi-year contract. Cost sharing is provided to establish the vegetative cover practices.
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) 
The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, Wetlands Reserve Easement (WRE) component is a voluntary program that provides an opportunity for landowners to receive financial assistance to enhance wetlands in exchange for retiring marginal land from agricultural. ACEP provides technical and financial assistance to eligible landowners to address wetland, wildlife habitat, soil, water, and related natural resource concerns on private lands in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective manner.
• Permanent Easements – Through permanent easements, NRCS will pays 100 percent of the easement value to the landowner to convey the easement. Additionally, NRCS pays between 75 to 100 percent of the restoration costs.
• 30-year Easements – Under 30-year easements, NRCS pays 50 to 75 percent of the easement value for the purchase of the easement. Additionally, NRCS pays between 50 to 75 percent of the restoration costs.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OTHER CONSERVATION PROGRAMS, CONTACT OUR OFFICE DIRECTLY AT 931-368-0252 X 3.
The programs and services of the Soil and Water Conservation District offered are available on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, marital status, or handicap.
Montgomery County Soil & Water Conservation District 