Natural Resources Conservation Service awards grants to Wisconsin conservation projects

MADISON, Wis. -- The Natural Resources Conservation Service announced Wednesday it awarded $22 million to projects through the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, three of which are located in Wisconsin.

The NRCS said the projects expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands. Those selected for cooperative agreements have identified barriers to accessing grazing assistance for producers, and will include outreach and support for reaching historically underserved producers.

The NCRS said the three projects set for Wisconsin target southwest, eastern, and central Wisconsin.

Southwest Wisconsin's project is titled " Continuing Momentum for Conservation Grazing through Farmer-Led Watershed Management Initiatives, Technical Assistance, and Ecological Monitoring." The NCRS said the project will provide:

• Grazing outreach and education, mentorship by area grazers, matchmaking between landowners, and education to promote bird-friendly beef
• Technical assistance for conversion to managed grazing, including mapping, modeling, funding application assistance, and grazing plan writing
• Monitors for water quality, soil composition, and biodiversity metrics to measure pre- and post-implementation changes

Eastern Wisconsin's project is titled " Advancing Managed Rotational Grazing Climate Smart Agriculture Across Eastern Wisconsin In Partnership with Producer Led Watershed Protection Groups." The NCRS said the project will provide:

• Technical assistance to farmers by developing grazing management plans and assisting with implementation of climate-smart agriculture practices
• Assistance in building the grazing capacity of producer-led watershed protection groups through "Champion Graziers," "Grazing Mentors," and pasture walk/workshop events
• Education of the processes, practices, and benefits of grazing among diverse collegiate groups
• Increased acres of managed grazing and the availability of climate smart grazing land technical assistance
• Expanded grazing networks and supporting mentors, and the inclusion of minority institutions in grazing communities

Central Wisconsin's project is called " Building the Buzz about Grazing in Central Wisconsin." The NCRS said the project will provide:

• Funding for one full-time equivalent Grazing Specialist and one summer intern
• Technology to assist in addressing local grassland habitat concerns in priority grassland bird areas, provide improved managed grazing technical assistance to family farms across central Wisconsin, and improve access to this technical assistance in underserved communities

NRCS said the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative was developed as a coordinated effort to identify priority issues, find solutions, and effect change on private grazing land, enhancing existing conservation programs. To learn more about the initiative, visit the NCRS's website .

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