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Natural Resources Improvement:
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State Cost-Share
Each year, the Conservation District administers the State Soil Erosion Water Quality Cost-Share Program to assist landowners with addressing existing soil erosion, water quality and other environmental problems associated with their farming or woodland operation.
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The program provides technical and financial assistance to landowners to address natural resource problems. Sign-ups for the program are held each year during the month of February and then submitted to the state Soil & Water Conservation Commission for possible funding.
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County Cost-Share
Each year the District provides a county cost-share program for Livestock Feeding Pads for heavily used areas.
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They are designed to eliminate muddy conditions where livestock are fed by using rock and geotextile fabric. The District pays 50% up to $800.00.
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Federal Cost-Share (EQIP)
Each year the Conservation Districts assists the NRCS Staff in promoting and administering the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). EQIP is much like the State Cost-Share Program by providing assistance to landowners with addressing existing soil erosion, water quality and environmental problems on their farm operation.
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Eligible landowners may sign-up for EQIP any time throughout the year. However, applications received before the end of a designated ranking period will be considered for that program year. This "ranking period" is usually held around December and/or January each year.
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Wildlife Habitat Improvement
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program is another federally funded program that is available. WHIP's primary focus is to restore and create early successional habitats. Planting native grasses for wildlife cover are eligible practices under Kentucky's WHIP program.
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Eligible landowners may sign-up for WHIP anytime throughout the year. However, applications received by the end of the designated "ranking period" will be considered for that current program year. This "ranking period" is usually held in the fall of each year.
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Tree Seedling Give-Away
Each year the Boyle County Conservation District gives away approximately 4,000 tree seedlings in honor of Arbor Day. Of the 4,000 trees approximately 1100 are given to third grade students in the Danville and Boyle County School systems and 2900 are given to Boyle County landowners.
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The seedlings are purchased each year from the Division of Forestry and include a variety of oaks, poplar, redbud and white pine. The trees are usually available mid to late March.
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Dead Animal Removal
Dead animal removal services are free to citizens of Boyle County by calling Nation Brothers at 1-800-633-5677.
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Their hours are Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. till 4:00 p.m. You must call before noon on Friday to guarantee pick-up that day.
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- Move the animal away from the rest of the livestock to the front of your farm
- Have the animal near a road or hard surface
- If you call after noon on Friday—move the animal to a shaded area
- Cover the animal with hydrated lime
- DO NOT cover the animal with tarps or fabric of any kind
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This service is provided to citizens of Boyle County by the cooperative effort of the Boyle County Fiscal Court, Boyle County Conservation District, and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.
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Tree Tube Project
The Boyle County Conservation District received
a grant from the Heritage RC&D Council to purchase 500 tree seedling protectors to be given away to local landowners. The protectors are designed to protect newly planted tree seedlings from deer browsing and provide a greenhouse effect which increases the plants growth rate. Netting is used on the top of the tube to keep out insects and birds. A releasable tie is used to attach the shelter to a stake that is drove into the ground for stability. The protectors are photo degradable but in case the tree starts to outgrow the protector the tubes are designed with a perforation that aids in removal.
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One protector was given to each person that received trees during the Tree Give-Away in April but the majority of them were given to landowners that have participated in the Conservation Reserve Program that establishes Riparian Forest Buffers along creeks.
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Cooperator of the Year 
Pictured is this year's Cooperator of the Year--Scottie and Judee Vanderpool. The Conservation
District gives this award each year to a landowner who has, for many years been a good steward of the land and excelled at conserving our natural resources. Mr. & Mrs. Vanderpool have done a tremendous job over the years by installing conservation practices that were needed to protect the natural resources on their farm.
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They have worked cooperatively with the Conservation District in making these improvements by taking advantage of technical and financial assistance provided by the District and NRCS staff. They have installed a feeding pad to use during the winter to lessen the muddy conditions. In order to solve some erosion and water quality problems, they fenced cattle out of the farm pond and installed six water tanks from either city water, the pond or a spring that was developed on the farm. They are also in the process of shaping a grassed waterway to resolve an eroded ditch on the farm. All of these practices are making it much easier for them to manage a proper rotational grazing system that will prevent over grazing of the pastures and allow for more forage production on the farm.
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