Bring on the Pollinators!
Local conservationists in Hood River and Wasco Counties have teamed up to offer technical and financial assistance to fruit growers for pollinator habitat improvements.
Local field offices announced that the USDA has made funding available for financial assistance to orchard, vineyard and berry growers in Wasco and Hood River counties to create, restore and protect habitat for pollinators such as bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects.
Project partners include the Hood River Soil and Water Conservation District, Wasco Soil and Water Conservation District, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Oregon Bee Project, OSU Cooperative Extension Service and Farmers Conservation Alliance.
“Currently, between the two counties, we have $75,000.00 for 2021 projects,” said Lauren Bennett, USDA Public Affairs Officer. “Interest has been growing as more people learn about it. Conservation Implementation Strategies (CIS) is set to continue through 2024.”
This will be the CIS Pollinator Projects 2nd year of operation. Last year the Pollinator Project gave $32,373.00 in funding to local growers.
The USDA Conservation Implementation Strategies (CIS) are developed from the input of partners and the public at Local Working Group meetings every year. Local Working Group meetings are used to gather input from the local level on how to prioritize Federal program dollars are spent on local resource concerns.
Fruit Growers in Hood River and Wasco County may be eligible for financial assistance to perform the following activities on their property:
Hedgerow Planting
Conservation Cover
Cover Crop
Field Border
Microirrigation System
Mulching
Obstruction Removal
Access Control
Herbaceous Weed Control Tree/Shrub Site Preparation Brush Management
Tree or Shrub Establishment Pest Management
To find out if you qualify click here.
A screening and ranking process helps prioritize funding. The screening questions rank an applicant as HIGH priority or LOW priority. Then the application is moved through the ranking questions to make sure certain qualifications are met by the project and to help determine which applications will have the greatest impact.
The conservation practices can be implemented starting after a signed agreement, which outlines the timeline for any funded practices. The timeline for implementing practices is mutually agreed upon between NRCS and the landowner.
To download the contract provisions click here.
To download the application click here.
Fruit growers can submit a completed application on farmers.gov or to one of the following local USDA service centers:
Wasco County
The Dalles Service Center
2325 River Road #3, The Dalles, OR 97058
541-298-8559 x3
garrett.duyck@usda.gov
Hood River County
6780 Hwy 35, Parkdale, OR 97041
541-352-1037
carly.heron@usda.gov
The deadline for applications is April 16, 2021.
