CRAWFORD COUNTY - A Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) is manure and fertilizer spreading plan that is designed to increase farm revenue by ensuring that nutrients are only being applied to farm fields that truly need it.  Development of a plan stems from having soil samples being analyzed for each field, and is then catered to the farming operation based upon crop rotation, tillage options, etc.

Applications are being accepted for cost-share dollars to help farmers pay to have their NMP written.  If you are selected, you could receive $14-28/acre on your cropland.  The exact amount will depend on the number of acres that are requested county-wide and the amount of land that is approved for funding.  The funds will be available to reimburse farmers that have had their Nutrient Management Plan written by a certified plan writer. The funds will be released once the Nutrient Management Plan checklist is received by the Land Conservation office. 

If you are selected for the cost-share money, you must:

•        Update and follow a current nutrient management plan

•        Test soil through a DATCP certified laboratory (and re-test after every 4 years)

•        Control all soil erosion on land receiving nutrients (meet “T”, control ephemeral rills and gullies)

•        Keep annually updated records of manure and fertilizer applications in the nutrient management plan

•        Take manure and legume credits that comply with ATCP 50 and 590 standard

•        Landowners, including operator who owns land, must agree to comply with Nutrient Management requirements after the four year contract period for as long as the land is farmed

Applications must be received by August 31, 2017.  Applications will be reviewed and final allocations will be determined by the end of September.

Call 608-326-0270 if you have any questions or stop into the office at the Crawford County Administrative Building, 225 N. Beaumont Road, Room 230, Prairie du Chien, WI.