| Franklin County Conservation District |
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Kansas Cost-Share Programs
Providing financial assistance for the installation of best management practices
The Franklin County Conservation District provides technical assistance, financial assistance and educational services related to the conservation of our natural resources to the public free of charge, thanks to our county and state operating funds. As a grassroots, locally lead organization we are dedicated to getting conservation on the ground; conservation that benefits all Kansans by providing cleaner water, more productive soils. We are THE local source for cost share funding for the installation of best management practices for preserving and improving water quality and soil health.
We administer multiple cost share assistance programs which provide economic and environmental benefits direct to Franklin County and all residents. Even when local cost share funds have been exhausted we continue to work with our partner agencies to secure additional dollars to allow for the continued installation of additional best management practice for the benefit of the local environment. The financial assistance programs (cost share and incentive based payments) are not loan programs. These programs utilize funds designated to assist with water quality, water quantity, soil health, soil productivity, wildlife habitat, and air quality.
We administer multiple cost share assistance programs which provide economic and environmental benefits direct to Franklin County and all residents. Even when local cost share funds have been exhausted we continue to work with our partner agencies to secure additional dollars to allow for the continued installation of additional best management practice for the benefit of the local environment. The financial assistance programs (cost share and incentive based payments) are not loan programs. These programs utilize funds designated to assist with water quality, water quantity, soil health, soil productivity, wildlife habitat, and air quality.
The Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Conservation (DOC) administers four voluntary cost-share programs, the Water Resources Cost-Share Program (WRCS), the Non-Point Source Pollution Control Program (NPS), Riparian and Wetland Protection Program and the Kansas Water Quality Buffer Initiative Program. These programs provide financial assistance to eligible landowners for conservation practices that reduce soil erosion, improve water quality and/or conserve water. The Franklin County Conservation District actively implements the WRCS, NPS and Buffer Programs under the guidelines set forth by the DOC. A list of eligible conservation practices available for funding through the Kansas Cost-Share Programs in Franklin County is available at the bottom of this page. Click on the "CostsharePractices.pdf" file below to view the list.
Funding provided by the Division of Conservation, Kansas Department of Agriculture through appropriation from the Kansas Water Plan Funds. If records indicate you have a debt owed to the state of Kansas, a Kansas municipality or a District Court, the debt must be paid in accordance with K.S.A. 75-6201 et seq. The amount owed may be deducted from the earned cost-share amount by the Accounts Receivable Setoff Program administered by the State of Kansas Department of Administration, Division of Accounts and Reports.
The Kansas Department of Agriculture, Division of Conservation (DOC) administers four voluntary cost-share programs, the Water Resources Cost-Share Program (WRCS), the Non-Point Source Pollution Control Program (NPS), Riparian and Wetland Protection Program and the Kansas Water Quality Buffer Initiative Program. These programs provide financial assistance to eligible landowners for conservation practices that reduce soil erosion, improve water quality and/or conserve water. The Franklin County Conservation District actively implements the WRCS, NPS and Buffer Programs under the guidelines set forth by the DOC. A list of eligible conservation practices available for funding through the Kansas Cost-Share Programs in Franklin County is available at the bottom of this page. Click on the "CostsharePractices.pdf" file below to view the list.
Funding provided by the Division of Conservation, Kansas Department of Agriculture through appropriation from the Kansas Water Plan Funds. If records indicate you have a debt owed to the state of Kansas, a Kansas municipality or a District Court, the debt must be paid in accordance with K.S.A. 75-6201 et seq. The amount owed may be deducted from the earned cost-share amount by the Accounts Receivable Setoff Program administered by the State of Kansas Department of Administration, Division of Accounts and Reports.
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How to apply for Cost Share Assistance Programs through the Franklin County Conservation District:
> Applications received in January and February will be grouped and ranked using a soil health and water quality ranking criteria, for possible funding on July 1. > Applications received March 1 through June 30 will be grouped and ranked for possible funding on August 1, if funds remain available from July 1 allocation. > Applications received July 1 through November 30 will be grouped monthly and ranked for possible funding monthly beginning September 1 if funds remain available from July 1 allocation. > Applications will not be accepted in December. All unfunded applications on file from January 1 through November 30 of current year will be notified in December of the new year applications process which begins again in January. Unfunded applications are encouraged to apply in January and February for great chance of receiving funds. To apply: submit completed application (with map of property- with project location marked) AND IRS form W9 to the Franklin County Conservation District at 343 West 23rd Street, Suite 2, Ottawa KS 66067. Completed forms may be scanned and emailed to us as PDF files at frco.conservation@gmail.com or applications may be dropped off in person/mailed. Pasture related projects must also complete the benchmark assessment worksheet which is part of the application file. Application, including IRS form W9 are available to the right >>> If landowner is a trust using a social security number Line 1 on W9 should be individuals name and Line 2 on W9 should be name of trust. Cost share applications must be in the name of the landowner (matching the deed) with the exception of cover crops and grid sampling. Operator of record on file with Farm Service Agency may make applications for cover crops and grid sampling. |
Technical assistance for planning, design, construction inspections for all cost share projects is provided through our federal partners at NRCS. Landowners are not required to contract with private engineers for these services.
A list of local contractors is provided on our "Services" page. Landowners may contract with any contractor of their choice, the list is provided only as a service, no endorsement or recommendation is given to any one contractor. 
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Specialty funds available for high priority areas in Franklin County
Incentive payments related to the installation of best management practices (BMPs) within certain high priority areas of Franklin County will be available in 2022. As part of the Watershed Restoration and Protections Strategy, or WRAPS, watershed assessments to study water quality were completed on watersheds across the state. The Marais des Cygnes watershed is one of many watershed to have a completed assessment plan that outlines resource concerns directly related to watershed health. There are many sub-watersheds within the MdC basin with water quality impairments that are considered high priority areas, and therefore will be eligible for incentive payments.
Specific impairments to be targeted include dissolved oxygen in Pottawatomie Creek in southeast Franklin County; and bacteria in the Marais des Cygnes River, and drainage into the MdC, in central Franklin County. Eligible BMPs to be implemented may include vegetative filter strips; relocation of feeding pens; relocation of pasture feeding sites; off stream watering systems; implementation of rotational grazing; riparian area protection fence; terraces and grass waterways; vegetative and riparian buffers; grade stabilization structures; and nutrient management plans/soil testing.
The priority areas are shown in green and brown on the map to the right. Green area are eligible for both livestock AND cropland incentives. Brown area is only eligible for livestock related incentives.
The Hillsdale watershed also has a completed watershed assessment and is offering similar payments within Hillsdale watershed. There may also be incentive payments for implementation of no-till practices and use of cover crops within priority areas in the Hillsdale watershed.
Landowners within any of these priority area who have resource concerns related to soil health and water quality on their land are encouraged to contact the Conservation District for information on incentive payments.
For up to date information landowners are encouraged to follow our Facebook page “Franklin County Conservation District”
Specific impairments to be targeted include dissolved oxygen in Pottawatomie Creek in southeast Franklin County; and bacteria in the Marais des Cygnes River, and drainage into the MdC, in central Franklin County. Eligible BMPs to be implemented may include vegetative filter strips; relocation of feeding pens; relocation of pasture feeding sites; off stream watering systems; implementation of rotational grazing; riparian area protection fence; terraces and grass waterways; vegetative and riparian buffers; grade stabilization structures; and nutrient management plans/soil testing.
The priority areas are shown in green and brown on the map to the right. Green area are eligible for both livestock AND cropland incentives. Brown area is only eligible for livestock related incentives.
The Hillsdale watershed also has a completed watershed assessment and is offering similar payments within Hillsdale watershed. There may also be incentive payments for implementation of no-till practices and use of cover crops within priority areas in the Hillsdale watershed.
Landowners within any of these priority area who have resource concerns related to soil health and water quality on their land are encouraged to contact the Conservation District for information on incentive payments.
For up to date information landowners are encouraged to follow our Facebook page “Franklin County Conservation District”
Cost share incentives available for cover crops
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We are again offering cost share incentives for producers we are interested in implementing cover crops on a small scale (100 acres or less). Funding for cover crops comes from the Non-Point Source Pollution Control Program, allocations received through the Kansas Water Plan Fund.
This is a one time cover crop payment of $40/acre and must utilize either a three or five species mixes in accordance with NRCS standards and specifications. Landowners are eligible to apply for up to 100 acres. Additional cover crops incentive payments are also available within the green areas of the Franklin County map shown above. Producers interested in multi year cover crops, as part of a no till system, should contact the NRCS office at 241-7190 to discuss a possible EQIP application. |
Photo credit NRCS - Cover crops
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Nutrient Management (Soil Testing) Program
Landowners with current farm/tract numbers on file with Farm Service Agency may submit up to TEN soil tests on agriculture production land (pasture and/or row crop) through this program. Homeowners may submit up to TWO soil tests from lawn and or garden areas through this program. No more then TEN TOTAL tests are allowed for anyone landowner.
$11 will be paid on each soil test through the NonPoint Source Pollution Control Program, administered exclusively through the Franklin County Conservation District.
> Balance due per test, if applicable, is the responsibility of the landowner and must be paid at the Franklin County Extension Office.
Funds from the NonPoint Source Pollution Control Program are awarded through the Kansas Water Plan. These funds are provided to improve and protect water quality. Compliance with KSU Soils Laboratory and KSU Research & Extension agriculture agent recommendations is required. Fertilizer cannot exceed 10% of the recommended amounts to maintain future program eligibility. Participants must agree to follow the recommendations received from the Franklin County Extension Office for applying nutrients. Soil samples must be collected following proper sample collection techniques as directed by KSU Soils Laboratory; and must have been collected from within Franklin County.
Learn more about soil online at the USDA Web Soil Survey
$11 will be paid on each soil test through the NonPoint Source Pollution Control Program, administered exclusively through the Franklin County Conservation District.
> Balance due per test, if applicable, is the responsibility of the landowner and must be paid at the Franklin County Extension Office.
Funds from the NonPoint Source Pollution Control Program are awarded through the Kansas Water Plan. These funds are provided to improve and protect water quality. Compliance with KSU Soils Laboratory and KSU Research & Extension agriculture agent recommendations is required. Fertilizer cannot exceed 10% of the recommended amounts to maintain future program eligibility. Participants must agree to follow the recommendations received from the Franklin County Extension Office for applying nutrients. Soil samples must be collected following proper sample collection techniques as directed by KSU Soils Laboratory; and must have been collected from within Franklin County.
Learn more about soil online at the USDA Web Soil Survey
Cost share on grid sampling available again for crop year 2023
The purpose of a soil sample is to determine the average nutrient status of a field. Sampling procedures should also identify nutrient variability in the field to accommodate nutrient application adjustments that will reduce costs and potential nutrient loss from the field. The sampling procedure determines the quality and usefulness of the soil test information. Fertilizer recommendations based on samples not representative of a field may result in over-application and/or under-application of nutrients. Grid sampling and variable rate technologies are common practices used to achieve higher productivity in fields. Grid sampling allows for deficient spots to be targeted and the application rate of fertilizer to change as needed across the field.
As grid sampling and VRT have become more common, the Kansas Department of Agriculture-Division of Conservation made recommendations to the State Conservation Commissioners to allow counties to include grid sampling in the locally offered cost share component list. Franklin County Conservation District approved this addition for state fiscal year 2023. Beginning July 1, 2021 we are offering a payment of $6.65/acre on grid sampling; grids shall not exceed 3 acres. There is no need to take a profile sample for each grid; a composite can be taken per 40 acres; each field has to stand on its own. Payment is made to the landowner and an approved contract must be in place prior to beginning the grid sampling on acres under the contract. Applications are available on this webpage (above) and will be ranked based on water quality benefits. Funds are NOT awarded on a first come first served basis.
As grid sampling and VRT have become more common, the Kansas Department of Agriculture-Division of Conservation made recommendations to the State Conservation Commissioners to allow counties to include grid sampling in the locally offered cost share component list. Franklin County Conservation District approved this addition for state fiscal year 2023. Beginning July 1, 2021 we are offering a payment of $6.65/acre on grid sampling; grids shall not exceed 3 acres. There is no need to take a profile sample for each grid; a composite can be taken per 40 acres; each field has to stand on its own. Payment is made to the landowner and an approved contract must be in place prior to beginning the grid sampling on acres under the contract. Applications are available on this webpage (above) and will be ranked based on water quality benefits. Funds are NOT awarded on a first come first served basis.
On-Site Waste Water System Repair Program
The purpose of the Franklin County Conservation District's On-site Waste Water System (OSW) repair program is to upgrade failing on-site waste water systems (Lagoon/Septic Tanks) to help improve water quality. The OSW program is a component of the NPS program administered by the Kansas Department of Agriculture; Division of Conservation. Application dates and other procedures as described above for the NPS Program apply to the OSW program, in addition to the following:
Eligibility requirements for the OSW Repair program:
1. System must be failing according to County Environmental Health Codes (must contact County Environmental Health Office for inspections and permits, 785-229-3590); AND
2.The current system is at least 10 years old; AND
3.Current owner must have owned the property for at least two full years; AND must also meet at least one of the following four criteria which have been established by the State:
1. Failing system is located at a site where the drinking water for human consumption is supplied from a domestic water
well AND at least one of the following (1A-1D) are present at the site.
1A) Current system is a rat hole, cesspool or seepage pit.
1B) Current system is within 100 ft. of domestic well.
1C) Current system is up gradient from the domestic well and is within 400 ft. of the well.
1D) The domestic well has tested positive for fecal coliform bacteria OR has elevated nitrate levels (over 10 ppm) and the
failing system is determined by the local sanitarian to be a possible source of the contamination.
2. Failing system is located 500 ft. or less from perennial or intermittent stream as shown on a USGS 7.5 min topographic
map; on site measurement may be completed by County Sanitarian to determine locations close to the 500 foot distance.
3. Failing system is located within a two-mile radius of a public water supply well.
4. Failing system is located within an alluvial aquifer area shown on the state alluvial aquifer map which is available at the
FCCD office.
Visit the NRCS Services tab at the top of this page to learn more about
Federal Farm Bill Conservation Programs.
Federal Farm Bill Conservation Programs.