Mini-loan Program Helps Farmers Enroll in Conservation Practices
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| Mini-loan Program Helps Farmers Enroll in Conservation Practices The future of New Jersey farmers is intertwined with that of the state’s wildlife. For agriculture to stay viable, farmers need innovative programs, and, given that private lands dominate the state, wildlife needs help from farmers. It’s particularly true for New Jersey’s remaining grasslands, which are almost entirely on agricultural landscapes and in danger of disappearing from the state in the near term. Rapidly declining grassland birds represent 41% of the state-listed endangered bird species, 29% of threatened birds and 16% of birds of special concern.With Beneficia Foundation funding in 2005, the New Jersey Audubon Society began exploring an overarching strategy to work closely with farmers and landowners to protect both wildlife and the agricultural heritage of the state’s Delaware Valley region. NJAS discovered that while government conservation programs pay landowners who voluntarily implement conservation practices, enrolling wasn’t feasible for many farmers.  New Jersey lists the bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus), pictured here on a mini-loan property, as a regional priority. (Photo: Courtesy John P. Parke/NJAS) Farmers limited by funding gapFrequently farmers have neither the upfront money nor the expertise to initiate the conservation practices government programs fund. In discussions with agency partners, NJAS determined one of the greatest sources of project failure is lack of follow-through. Farmers across the state told NJAS that in some cases they have had to use credit cards or bank loans to purchase materials or rent equipment to implement conservation practices funded through an incentives program. That left farmers out-of-pocket, burdening them with high interest rates and often a lengthy wait for loan approval.NJAS President Tom Gilmore knew the unrealized potential of agency programs to protect watersheds and wildlife habitat was limited resources, not indifferent farmers. “Many farmers opt out of federally subsidized conservation programs,” he observes, “not because they lack the interest but rather because they cannot afford the large upfront costs associated with these programs.”In response, NJAS in 2006 launched a pilot mini-loan program to aid farmers interested in enrolling in existing state and federally sponsored conservation programs to promote agricultural sustainability and improve wildlife habitat. This revolving loan program provides farmers with startup money to fill in the gap until they are reimbursed by the federal or state agencies for implementing the conservation practices. The farmer then repays the loan, and the monies are available for another farmer.  At Howling Wolf Farm, a mini-loan funded fencing to improve wildlife habitat. (Photo: Courtesy John P. Parke/NJAS) Mini-loans spur successful projectsFor tax purposes, NJAS cannot distribute these funds directly to an applicant without charging interest. Mini-loan recipients sign an Agreement for Payment that specifies that minimal interest of 1% must accompany repayment—far less than the interest charged by a credit card or bank loan. All interest collected goes directly back into the fund for the next farmer to use.
 A mini-loan enabled a farmer to enroll in the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program and plant a pollinator meadow. (Photo: Courtesy John P. Parke/NJAS) Following the mini-loan pilot program’s success, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture awarded a $50,000 grant to NJAS in October 2007. The larger “pot” of available money allows more farmers to participate and implement even more conservation practices. Hence NJAS was able to leverage $80,000 funding to loan farmers over $128,400 to date. Conservation practices funded by these loans are also leveraged by some loan recipients who invest their practice payments in additional conservation practices.That’s good news for the state’s Department of Agriculture and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. “We are pleased to partner with the New Jersey Audubon Society to encourage farmers to undertake these projects that not only protect soil and water resources, but increase productivity and profitability for the farmer,” says New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Charles M. Kuperus. “The mini-loan program provides the seed money to help farmers take the next step toward implementing practices that improve water quality, soil health and diverse habitat.”  These turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are benefiting from grassland restoration under an NJAS mini-loan. (Photo: Courtesy John P. Parke/NJAS) USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service also welcomes the help from the NJAS program. “The Farm Bill provides many opportunities for farmers to consider in conserving natural resources on their land,” says NRCS State Conservationist Tom Drewes. “NRCS is happy to see the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and New Jersey Audubon Society working together to help farmers take advantage of these opportunities through this loan program.”For more information about NJAS’s Mini-Loan program, contact John Parke at 908-766-5787 ext 18.Conservation Incentives thanks New Jersey Audubon Society’s John Parke, Stewardship Project Director, and Troy Ettel, Director of Conservation and Stewardship, for this article. Our thanks also go to NJAS volunteer Florence Sandstrom for suggesting the article. |
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