Get reliable rangeland science

Government payment incentives programs are an important method to encourage and assist in the adoption of conservation practices on rangelands.� The Natural Resource Conservation Service�s Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Securities Program are two federal programs that provide significant funding for approved conservation practices. Through a Freedom of Information Act request, the NRCS provided us with a nationwide list of current contracts for nine rangeland related practices. These practices are brush management, forage and biomass planting, grazing land mechanical treatment, range planting, herbaceous weed control, prescribed burning, prescribed grazing, riparian herbaceous cover, and upland wildlife habitat management. Our survey will be sent out to a random sample of producers in all 50 states and territories. �The goal of our research survey is to determine the characteristics of producers who participate in these two programs, as well as their motivations and their experiences while participating. Literature suggests that those who participate in payment or cost share programs are typically motivated by a strong feeling of stewardship, economic benefits, and government regulations. The possibility of using Department of Agriculture Census data to compare demographics of participants to national averages will also be explored. By identifying motivations and experiences that participants may encounter before and during the program will give the NRCS and other agencies a better idea of how to increase contracting, retain current contracts, as well as make their programs more efficient.