Program Objective

The Okeechobee Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors approved funding for a small farm nutrient management program. Smaller acreage farms and ranches are faced with many management challenges when it comes to protecting and conserving natural resources on their property. Best management practices assist landowners in limiting nutrient contributions to water sources and help prevent denuded areas causing soil erosion.

The voluntary program’s objective is to assist bona fide agricultural production, equine or container nursery landowners operating on 50 acres or less, with conservation planning and help meet the goals of reduced nutrient load requirements set in the Lake Okeechobee Basin Management Plan, mandated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

OSWCD Mission

The Okeechobee Soil and Water Conservation District mission is to provide services for soil and water conservation, proper utilization of natural resources, and to promote the continued use of land for agricultural purposes. The Board of Supervisors has identified a need for education on best management practice implementation on small acreage properties to assist in the promotion of natural resources conservation within the Lake Okeechobee watershed.

Program Overview

Site visits with landowners are offered at no cost to the participant. The landowner’s current nutrient management strategies will be discussed, and a Conservation Plan developed. The Conservation Plan will contain current management and proposed management strategies, along with a soil and conservation plan map. Conservation terminology definitions and maintenance recommendations are also included in the Conservation Plan.

 Evaluation Program Eligibility

Conservation planning for this program is available to agriculture producers, equine facilities and container nurseries operating on 50 acres or less within Okeechobee County.

Participants willing to address natural resource concerns identified in their conservation plan are eligible to apply for financial assistance.

Application Development Costs

Neither the District nor its representatives shall be liable for any expenses incurred through the preparation, submission, or presentation of the funding Application.

The following is provided as guidance for applicants. The District Board will determine the priorities, the amount of funds to allocate, and the maximum cost-share made available to proposed projects for the program. Applicants that are unable to produce agricultural production records (farm, ranch, or nursery) or do not include all required documentation as outlined, may be deemed ineligible by the District Board. Applicants that are out of compliance with other governmental agencies may be deemed ineligible. Completed applications will be delivered or mailed to: Okeechobee Soil and Water Conservation District, 452 US 98 North, Okeechobee, FL. 34972.

Applications for the program are accepted throughout the year. However, specific cut off dates are set quarterly to allow for selection.

The following are cut off dates:

March 30

June 30

September 30

December 31

Specific Requirements for Small Farm Projects:

-          Agree to a site visit to develop a conservation plan.

-          Project funds must be spent within six months of obligation, extension may be granted for extreme circumstances.

-          All receipts and invoices must show proof of payment with a canceled check or detailed credit card receipt.

-          Applicant agrees to an irrigation evaluation if implementing an irrigation retrofit.

Allowable Costs for Water Conservation Projects Include:

-          Irrigation retrofits, including soil moisture sensors, rain sensors, irrigation head upgrades, etc.

-          Other hardware and/or technology-based project that increases natural resources conservation

-          Manure compost area

Non-Allowable Costs for Water Conservation Projects Include:

-          Installation of new irrigation systems, irrigation wells, pumps, or the extension of an existing irrigation system to an area not previously irrigated

-          Landscape materials, unless deemed necessary to address a concern

-          Projects that are out of compliance with permit conditions or are proposed to bring a facility back into compliance or proposed as settlement for enforcement activities