The following is an article written by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
In Pennsylvania, USDA NRCS employees provide technical assistance based on sound science and suited to a customer’s specific needs. NRCS also helps to find financial programs that offer incentives to install Best Management Practices (BMPs) on a farm. Participation in programs is voluntary and applications are accepted year-round.
In order to qualify for financial assistance, applicants must be engaged in livestock or agricultural production and must own the land on which the operation exists. Applicants must show a profit or loss from the operation, typically by providing business records. Common examples of businesses that generate income include
- breeding horses
- training
- boarding
- providing animals or facilities for trail, wagon, carriage and/or sleigh rides
- raising, training, managing equine associated with the racing industry.
Equine operations have an opportunity to install projects such as manure stacking areas, streambank fencing, watering systems and rotational grazing systems. Horse owners that do not generate income from their horses (4H project, trail rides for pleasure, etc) would not meet the criteria for enrollment in USDA programs.
To find out more about how you can benefit from NRCS programs and technical assistance, check out http://www.pa.nrcs.usda.gov/, or contact your local NRCS service center.