Morgan Conservation District

Grazing Improvement Program

The Utah Grazing Improvement Program (GIP) from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is a program focused on helping Utah ranchers to improve grazing lands. Projects can include any restoration work that will improve rangeland/pasture health, productivity, and management. Examples: elimination of invasive species, reseeding, livestock water development and improvements, fencing, grazing management planning, brush management, and any other project that improves watershed and rangeland health/production while improving the profitability of Utah livestock producers.

The Enabling Act that created GIP has legislative intent that the producer will pay a portion of any project. If a project is approved that has no other cost share, GIP can pay up to 50% of the cost on private land and 75% on public land. If another entity such as the Natural Resource Conservation Service, Bureau of Land Management, The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, or Utah Partners for Conservation and Development are participants in a project, GIP can cost share nottopreclude the producer from paying at least 25% on private land and 12.5% on public land. Producer participation can be in cash or in-kind.

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The Agricultural Resource Development Loans (ARDL) are available for conservation projects on Utah farms and ranches. ARDL, a revolving loan fund, is administered by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food under the direction of the Conservation Commission. The loan program is focused on conserving soil and water, improving water quality, developing on-farm energy projects, and preventing flood and natural disaster damage.

ARDL funds are offered at 3 percent interest for a maximum of 12 years. There is a one time administration fee of 4 percent that is added to the loan total and paid off with the loan. Combining ARDL funds with other grants and loans is encouraged in order to provide the maximum benefit in conservation.

The Rural Rehabilitation Loan Program is another source of low-interest loans for farms and ranches. The purpose of this program is to help those who want to buy, begin or improve an agricultural operation but who cannot qualify for conventional financing. The current interest rates for these loans are from 5-6 percent. This loan fund was augmented by the Legislature to assist distressed farmers in 1992, and has since grown as a result of additional appropriations and internal growth through earnings.The program contains both state and federal funds.Total assets for this fund are $8.5 million with $7.7 million out in individual loans. Delinquencies in all loan programs are very low.

This program is focused on improving watersheds with impaired water quality. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 319 funds are available at a 60% cost share on projects if stand alone and can go up to but not exceed 75% if combined with other federal funds. EPA 319 funds can be combined with other grants and funding. These projects have included AFO/CAFO, stream restoration, and irrigation improvement projects. There are many entities that distribute 319 funds. The Morgan Conservation District can help you locate these sources and assist you in obtaining these funds.