Joe Shaffer (left) is first farmer in the nation to apply and receive funding through the Conservation Loan Program. Matt Briggs, farm loan manager, helped him through the process.
Joe Shaffer had almost given up on constructing a protected livestock feeding area to reduce soil erosion and improve water quality on his 300-head cattle feeding operation. With most government conservation cost-sharing programs, a project like that must be completed before being reimbursed. For Shaffer, the cost was just too much…until last month.
That’s when the West Virginia rancher became the first in the nation to apply and receive funding through the newly created Farm Service Agency conservation loan program.
“This is a great opportunity to accomplish more conservation on the ground throughout West Virginia,” said Shaffer. “Since money is usually the primary hindrance to implementing new conservation practices, I believe this program will overcome that barrier for West Virginia farmers and permit them to take the needed steps to keep our land and water clean.”
The new program provides farmers with upfront financing to install needed environmentally sound measures on their land. It gives priority to beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers as well as those wanting to convert to a sustainable or organic production system. Priority also is given to farmers establishing practices to comply with highly erodible land requirements.
“This program is a tremendous benefit to Mr. Shaffer and other producers who in the past could not have completed much needed conservation practices because of the significant upfront cost,” said Matt Briggs, farm loan manager in the Whitehall County FSA office. “These producers will in return reduce soil erosion, improve water quality and create a better environment for all.”
