Gov. Nixon Visits Buchanan County Farm to Announce Competitive USDA Grant to Reduce Erosion, Improve Water Quality

Press Release

Gov. Jay Nixon today visited the farm of Doug and Vicki Hickman in DeKalb with Department of Natural Resources Director Sara Parker Pauley, Department of Agriculture Director Richard Fordyce, and J.R. Flores from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to announce a $6 million competitive federal grant to help reduce soil erosion and improve water quality in communities throughout the state.

"Less erosion means more productive land; it means cleaner streams, rivers and lakes, and it means healthier, more prosperous rural communities across our state," said Gov. Nixon. "As a result of this competitive grant, farmers will have more tools to keep Missouri's land productive and fertile, and our communities will benefit from efforts to reduce soil runoff into Missouri streams. It's a win-win for everyone."

Under the proposal, the $6 million federal grant will be matched with $15.6 million from public and private partners including the Missouri Association of Councils of Governments; University of Missouri Extension; Missouri Corn Growers Association; Missouri Soybean Association; Lincoln University; Women, Food and Ag Network; and the Missouri Department of Conservation.

"RCPP puts our partners in the driver's seat. Projects are led locally, and demonstrate the value of strong public-private partnerships that deliver solutions to tough natural resource challenges," said J.R. Flores, Missouri State Conservationist for the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service.

State, local and regional partners will join with agricultural producers to study and implement farm practices that will result in more productive soils and cleaner water.

"Environmental stewardship and the protection of the state's agricultural land are shared goals of the Department of Natural Resources and the state's agriculture producers," said Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Sara Parker Pauley. "This project maximizes efforts by both groups to protect Missouri's soil and water resources, and demonstrates the effectiveness of established runoff reduction practices."

"Promoting and enhancing stewardship of our lands will not only improve environmental quality, but will also preserve and maintain a strong and profitable agricultural industry in this state for generations to come," said Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Richard Fordyce. "This project, which provides a great opportunity for Missouri's producers, will have a positive impact on the environment, our food supply and on our local and state economies."

Missouri has long been a leader in reducing soil erosion. Since 1984, when Missouri voters first approved a sales tax for soil and water, these projects have prevented more than 178 million tons of soil from being eroded. Reducing erosion makes soil more productive and improves water quality by preventing runoff into streams, rivers and lakes.

In his State of the State address last week, Gov. Nixon said his administration would intensify its efforts to ensure Missouri communities have access to clean, abundant water resources for recreation, industry and agriculture.

Source