Progress report for ONE24-444
Project Information
This project will provide information on the EQIP program to WV
farmers. It will enumerate the multiple practices
available, discuss the technical assistance available, and the
cost sharing initiative of the program.
This project will provide application forms and informational
brochures on the EQIP program to WV farmers.
This project will assist WV farmers with completing the EQIP
application for submittal.
Project leader and partner farmer will attend eight agriculture
events/tradeshows in WV, setting up information booths and
providing information to over 1,600 WV farmers by October 2025.
WV is an agriculturally based state with over 3,500,000 acres involved in farming operations. It is also one of the poorest states. According to the US Census Bureau, the average household median income in WV in 2022 was $55,217. The national household median income for the same period was $74,580. When living in poverty-like conditions, one does not have the resources available to implement resource sustainability practices, which not only impacts our current generation, but generations to come.
Having grown up in WV with deep roots in the state, I can attest to not only the pride of the Mountain State people, but also the stubbornness and distrustfulness of government programs. This grant will allow my partner farmer and I the opportunity to educate WV farmers about sustainability practices available to them on a cost-share basis, allowing practices that otherwise would not have been able to be completed.
Farmers will be able to hear from regular people, like them, how beneficial the EQIP program is and how it is being used in practical applications. To ease this cumbersome process, information packets will be put together with all of the application forms in the packets, along with information on the different practices available, and contact information for state NRCS representatives. Additionally, on site assistance will be offered, in which the project leader and partner farmer will complete the forms for those that request it.
The project leader and partner farmer will work with NRCS representatives, WV Department of Agriculture and WV University faculty on this project. The primary interface with farmers will be at state agriculture functions where information booths will be set up and the free information packets will be given out and EQIP practices discussed. The following are examples of events that will be attended:
- WV Small Farm Conference and Tradeshow
- WV State Fair
- WV Beef Expo
- Bridge Day
- Hometown Mountain Heritage Festival
- WV Livestock Markets
- WV Farmer Markets
The project leader and partner farmer will attend eight events in 2024-2025, reaching over 1,600 people in the 12-month period, resulting in a significant knowledge transfer and unprecedented increase of EQIP applications and subsequent grants to implement sustainable practices that:
- Improve water and air quality
- Conserve ground and surface water
- Increase soil health
- Reduce soil erosion and sedimentation
- Improve or create wildlife habitat
- Address on-farm resource issues
This project will have a significant impact on WV farmers, driving SARE’s goal to improve profitability, stewardship, and quality of life by investing in groundbreaking research and education.
Cooperators
Research
A meeting was held with the Beckley, WV Natural Resources Conservation District Supervisor, Katy McBride on Monday, September 9, 2024, to discuss the project. Ms. McBride made recommendations to the original plan, which included notifying local NRCS personnel of the events the Project Coordinator will attend and to use NRCS handouts with NRCS personnel names for points of contact.
Funds expended at this time:
| Category | Time | Amount |
| Project Leader | 2 Hours | $100.00 |
| Hotel | 1 Night | $162.53 |
| Mileage | 530 Miles | $355.10 |
Total Award: $29,025
Total Expensed: $617.63
Total Remaining: $28,407.37
Ongoing correspondence with NRCS is in progress to identify appropriate trade shows in which the most personnel will be in attendance, and to notify NRCS of Project Coordinator attendance. Project will commence in Spring when trade shows begin.
NRCS recommended against assisting personnel with completing application forms, as they would like to be the lead in this endeavor. They instead applauded the effort of notification to farmers of program potential and providing appropriate points of contact that can conduct an assessment of farmer's needs and guide them on best practices for the farmer's situation.
The meeting with NRCS was extremely positive and Project Coordinator looks forward to working with NRCS to assist WV farmers.
Education & Outreach Activities and Participation Summary
Participation Summary:
Project leader and partner farmer will collaborate with NRCS, West Virginia University, and West Virginia Department of Agriculture to identify the largest agriculture events and tradeshows in order to reach the largest number of WV farmers.
Information packets will be put together containing EQIP application forms, information on EQIP practices, and NRCS points of contact. The information will be organized in a concise manner for ease of application completion.
Project leader and partner farmer will attend eight venues in WV during project timeframe. At each of these events, a minimum of 200 information packets will be provided to WV farmers.
Project leader will complete a course of instruction and will do a 30 minute session at appropriate venues and have a break-out session afterward in which one-on-one assistance can be given to WV farmers with application.
Project leader will collaborate with local farmer podcast and educational platforms to provide additional outreach to WV farming communities.