Financial Incentive Programs

Technical Assistance Programs


Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP)

 The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program for people who want to develop and improve wildlife habitat primarily on private land. Through WHIP, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service provides both technical assistance and up to 75 percent cost-share assistance to establish and improve fish and wildlife habitat. WHIP agreements between USDA-NRCS and the participant generally last from 5 to 10 years from the date the agreement is signed.

The Soil and Water Conservation District provides technical assistance and conservation planning to reduce the costly waste of our natural resources of soil, water, plants, animals and air. By using soils data, we provide assistance to landowners who are interested in selecting home sites, purchasing a home or managing their parcel of land. The SWCD's technical assistance program is voluntary and science-based. Assistance is provided to individuals, groups and governmental agencies. The natural resource specialists in our office are available to assist with a variety of natural resource concerns.

Assistance is available to address soil erosion problems on cropland, pastureland and urban land uses.

Property owners can request assistance for site selection, design and construction of ponds and small lakes.
Assistance is provided to schools and community groups in the development of outdoor learning centers. 
Homeowners can request assistance with their problems ranging from drainage to establishing vegetation. 
Assistance with textural analysis of soils is available to urban as well as rural land users.
Professional planners are available to assist landowners in developing alternatives for proper land use.
Guidance and direction is provided to those seeking ways to protect prime farmland and open spaces.
Property owners can request assistance to develop or improve wildlife habitats on their property.

The Continuous Conservation Reserves Program (CCRP) allows landowners to enroll eligible acres into a 10 to 15 year program to help address water quality concerns. The incentives for this program include:  annual rental payments, bonuses, maintenance fees and cost-share for conservation practices.


Continuous Conservation Reserves Program (CCRP)


Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

 The EQIP program provides technical, financial and educational assistance to landowners. The target audience for this program is primarily livestock producers who have natural resource concerns that can be addressed through the implementation of soil and water management practices.

The state funded cost-share program offers landowners an opportunity for assistance with soil erosion and water quality problems. More than 20 best management practices are eligible for cost-share at rate of 50 percent and above.


Kentucky State Cost-Share Program

Information on the 2008 KY Agriculture Relief Effort (K.A.R.E) and Model Programs available through the Jefferson County Agricultural Development Council.

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