Farm
Technical Assistance & Conservation Services
The Mercer SWCD provides technical assistance to landowners interested in implementing agricultural conservation practices. Services include site evaluations, surveys, design, and construction inspection of conservation practices. Additional support includes conservation planning and soil information. All technical work follows NRCS standards and specifications for permanent conservation practices.
Cost-share funding may be available from federal, state, or local programs.
Technical Assistance Services
Below are a list and description of technical assistance provided by the Mercer SWCD staff.
Agrichemical Containment Facility
A permanent structure that provides a safe area for storing, handling, and mixing liquid agrichemicals, such as fertilizers and pesticides.
Composting Facility
Designed for the biological stabilization of organic material, including dead livestock or manure.
Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP)
A plan that identifies resource concerns and assists livestock operations in managing and utilizing manure and fertilizer effectively.
Conservation Plan
A plan outlining scheduled operations and activities needed to address natural resource concerns on crops and associated lands.
Field Windbreak
A planted strip of trees or shrubs along field edges to reduce wind erosion.
Filter Strips
Vegetated strips, located between agricultural land and sensitive areas, to filter sediment and pollutants.
Grade Stabilization Structure
A structure that safely conveys water from higher to lower elevations, such as from cropland into a creek or stream.
Grassed Waterway
A graded, vegetated channel constructed to safely carry surface water runoff.
Group Drainage
A collaborative drainage project involving multiple landowners within the same watershed. Projects may be voluntary or established under Ohio Revised Code Section 940 (S.B. 160).
Waste Storage Facility
A man-made structure or impoundment used for storing agricultural waste. Examples include holding ponds, concrete tanks, and dry stacks.
Waste Treatment Lagoon
An excavated impoundment designed for the biological treatment of agricultural waste.
Waste Treatment Strip
A vegetated strip, used as part of a waste-management system, to filter impurities from agricultural waste.
Waste Treatment Wetland
A shallow water system constructed to treat agricultural waste naturally.
Wetland Development & Restoration
Creation or enhancement of shallow water areas (0.5’–3’ depth) to produce the hydrological and biological functions of a wetland.
Cost Share Opportunities
The District works to secure cost-share dollars to support conservation efforts. Funding may come from local, state, or federal sources.
Local Programs
Cost Share
Cost-share funds may be available from watershed projects, Pheasants Forever, or other local sources.
For details, contact SWCD at (419) 586-3289 for more information.
State Programs
Pollution Abatement
Cost-share funding may be available for sediment reduction, livestock waste management, and mortality composting. Funding levels depend on allocations in the state budget.
Contact SWCD at (419) 586-3289 for more information.
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
A partnership program combining the Federal CRP with state programs to meet environmental goals.
Eligible landowners may sign 14–15-year contracts to convert cropland to native vegetation. Benefits include:
• Annual rental payments
• Incentives
• Maintenance payments
• Cost-share
• One-time state payments
H2Ohio
Mercer County participates in the statewide H2Ohio initiative, offering incentives for management practices, such as:
- Nutrient management planning
- Soil testing & variable-rate fertilization
- Subsurface nutrient application
- Manure incorporation
- Conservation crop rotation
- Cover crops
- Drainage water management
Federal Programs
The following programs are offered through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and/or Farm Service Agency (FSA). For more information, call (419) 586-3149 ext. 2.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
A voluntary conservation program that supports agricultural production while promoting environmental quality. Provides financial and technical assistance for implementing conservation practices.
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
A voluntary program that helps producers safeguard environmentally sensitive land by establishing long-term, resource-conserving plant cover. Enhances wildlife habitat, improves water quality, and reduces soil erosion.
National Weather Service Forecast
Celina Ohio Weather Forecast