Conservation in Agriculture

Agricultural landowners in our region have a unique opportunity to improve the water quality of the Wabash River and improve soil retention on their fields.

Possibilities for Impact

Conservation Farming Practices

Farmers are stewards of the land.  Responsible land stewardship helps keep soil on your farm and can reduce the cost of inputs over time.  There’s a wide variety of practices farmers can implement to help retain soil, build organic matter, and reduce erosion.

Some of your options:
  • buffer strips
  • conservation tillage
  • cover crops
  • grassed waterways
  • nutrient and pest management plans
  • prescribed grazing
  • heavy use area protection
  • stream crossings
  • streambank stabilization
  • prairie plantings and conservation cover
  • tree planting
  • two-stage ditch construction
  • bioreactor
  • drainage water management
  • livestock management
  • wetland restoration
  • constructed wetlands 
 
WREC offers a cost share program to help farmers in our watershed pay for these practices.  Learn your options for funding and get advice on your next steps with a free site visit with the Tippecanoe Soil and Water Conservation District.  
Contact TCSWCD

Utilize WREC's funding opportunities

Agricultural Cost-Share Program

The Wabash River Enhancement Corporation is currently accepting cost-share applications to reimburse up to 75% of the total cost for agricultural projects focused on reducing stormwater runoff and improving water quality in the Region of the Great Bend of the Wabash River watershed. To obtain funding, projects must meet these requirements:

  1. The parcel must be located within our critical area (green area in the map to the right). Map of critical areas
  2. Practices must be included on our list of fundable practices.
  3. Farmers or landowners must have a site visit with WREC or Tippecanoe Soil and Water Conservation District staff before submitting an application
  4. Projects must be approved by WREC’s cost share committee prior to project installation.
 

How Our Program Works

WREC, in partnership with the Tippecanoe County Soil and Water Conservation District, provides landowner assistance, technical expertise, and consultation free of charge. Contact the Tippecanoe County SWCD to discuss your project and learn more about your options and schedule a free site visit.

After your consultation, download a paper application or submit your application online. Please include a cost estimate and site plan or map with your application. WREC staff will contact you once we receive your application to discuss your project, obtain site plans, and determine any additional needs to process your application. All projects will be ranked using our standardized urban and agricultural ranking forms, then reviewed by our urban and agricultural committees to determine what projects will receive funding.

Completed project applications will be reviewed by the agricultural and urban committees within one month of the application due date. Once reviewed, WREC staff will forward applications to our funding agency for approval. If approved, WREC staff will meet with grant recipients to sign contracts and discuss project specifics. No work can be completed prior to the contract signature. Additionally, all work must be completed on a reimbursement basis. Any work completed before the contracts are signed will not be reimbursed.

Application deadlines for agricultural projects are March 15, 2023 and May 15, 2023.

 

Learn More