USDA allots Douglas County 38-thousand acres for SAFE Program and grouse
Farm and Ranch May 13, 2010 Douglas County Washington has been awarded 38-thousand acres by the USDA for State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement or SAFE program. This is a new initiative designed to preserve or create important habitat for Sage Grouse and Sharp-Tailed Grouse in the county. Farm Service Agency County Executive Director Michel Ruud says that in return for providing habitat, agricultural producers will receive rental payments on land entered into 10 or 15-year contracts. Additionally, producers will be reimbursed at 90 percent of the cost to establish the habitat and a signing bonus will be paid for land, other than current CRP acres, offered into the SAFE program. Ruud: “This is going to be a first-come first-serve sign up and sing up begins on Tuesday, which is May 18th at the FSA office in Waterville. And farmers can either come into the office that day or call and we will work those who call into appointments, but I expect that the 38-thousand acres will fill up fairly quickly.” Previously expired CRP acreage, land in current CRP scheduled to expire in 2010 and new acres with a cropping history and meeting other program requirements are eligible. Ruud expects the sign up starting next week to be very busy and asks farmers to have patience. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on Northwest Aginfo Net.
