Financial Assistance for Forest Landowners
The 2008 Farm Bill offers a mix of financial and technical assistance and education to help landowners care for their land. The NH Division of Forests and Lands, UNH Cooperative Extension, NH Fish and Game Department (NHF&G), and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) all help bring these programs to you. Contact your UNH Cooperative Extension county forester or local NRCS conservationist to decide which programs are right for you. A brief description follows:
Natural Resources Conservation Service- Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)
Both EQIP and WHIP provide technical and financial assistance to landowners to improve water quality, conserve both ground and surface water, reduce soil erosion, improve riparian and aquatic areas, improve air quality and address wildlife habitat. These programs apply to private lands, including cropland, rangeland, pasture land, private non-industrial forestland, and other farm lands. In order to qualify for EQIP, a landowner must have a Conservation Activity Plan and these plans are available through EQIP. Contracts generally range from 1-10 years. For more information contact your local NRCS conservationist or UNH Cooperative Extension county forester.
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department- Small Grants Program
This state program is designed for restoring, maintaining, or enhancing wildlife habitat. It applies to properties larger than 25 acres, owned by an individual, organization or local government. Funding is limited to $2,000 per property per year and no more than $6,000 will be granted to a single landowner over a 10-year period. Because it is funded by a fee required of all who purchase a New Hampshire hunting license, the land needs to remain open for non-motorized public use, including hunting. For more information, contact your regional New Hampshire Fish and Game Department office.
Disaster Assistance Available From the Farm Service Agency
The Farm Service Agency would like to remind both crop and livestock producers and owners of nonindustrial private forest land that programs are available to assist with disaster related recovery. If your agricultural operation or nonindustrial private forest land has recently experienced severe damage from a storm, flooding, wind, or other natural disaster there may be a FSA program available to provide you with financial and/or technical assistance. Find out more.
| County | UNH Cooperative Extension |
NRCS | NH Fish and Game Department |
| Belknap | 527-5475 |
223-6023 |
Region 1, Lancaster: 788-3164 |
| Carroll | 447-3834 |
447-2771 |
Region 2, New Hampton: 744-5470 |
| Cheshire | 352-4550 |
756-2988 |
Region 3, Durham: 868-1095 |
| Coos | 788-4961 |
788-4651 |
Region 4, Keene: 352-9669 |
| Grafton | 787-6944 |
353-4651 |
Headquarters, Concord: 271-2461 |
| Hillsborough | 641-6060 |
673-2409 |
|
| Merrimack | 796-2151 |
223-6023 |
|
| Rockingham | 679-5616 |
679-1587 |
|
| Strafford | 862-3883 |
679-1587 |
|
| Sullivan | 863-9200 |
756-2988 |
Click here for a summary of financial assistance for forest landowners.
A Guide to 2008 Farm Bill Conservation Programs in New Hampshire
The USDA Farm Bill: What is in it for Woodland Owners?
Forest Stewardship Plans and Federal Financial Assistance
- Plan criteria including inventory specifications for plans financed prior to the 2009 program year.
- Specifications for plans financed for the 2009 program year and for subsequent years
A first step in developing a plan is to state your goals and objectives, at least what they are today. To help you, we have forms that ask you questions about your land. You may prefer the long version, or the shorter version.
Web Resources
