Jim and Sherry Hipp farm 90 hilly and wonderfully scenic
acres at the southern end of the Appalachians. However,
those acres are also an erosion and water-quality
challenge.
The Hipps farm part time in Alabama and have 35-plus head of
cattle. They have watched a drainage rivulet become
increasingly eroded and unsightly as their livestock have
watered in it. As the problem continued, the Hipps became
worried about manure in the runoff as well as in a pond near
the bottom of the slope.
That's why this past year the Hipps participated in a state
program that mimics the USDA's Environmental Quality
Incentives Program. They have received $3,500 in matching
money from that program to help defray the costs of several
conservation moves.
First, they established a watering station using an existing
windmill to provide the water. The money helped with the
building of a pad under the livestock tank consisting of
gravel and man-made fabric. The pad helps mitigate erosion
at the high-traffic area.
"It has really worked out well," says Jim. "We've had very
few problems with it."
Thus far, the Hipps have spent more than $6,300. With the
$3,500 in incentive money, their out-of-pocket costs have
been $2,800.
And they aren't finished yet. They want to cross-fence their
pasture into three paddocks, set up another watering station
and fence off the cattle from the drainage area.
Under EQIP, an application is graded on a somewhat
complicated point system that takes into account the impact
of certain conservation measures. Those whose conservation
plans garner the most points generally are first to get the
available money.
Any size ag or livestock operation is eligible, and
conservation measures on a small acreage may have a big,
areawide impact.