Farmer and Landowner Benefits

Buffers are a Sign of Good Conservation & Land Stewardship. Perhaps most importantly, conservation buffers are physically visible demonstrations of a landowner’s and/or farmer’s commitment to land stewardship. Buffers are equally appealing socially, as the neighboring public downstream obtains benefits through reduced sediment flows while being provided with better scenery along streams. Passers-by can see a grass strip alongside a stream and understand that the landowner is doing something extremely beneficial for the environment.

Buffers Offer Profitability. As previously mentioned, conservation buffers work economically because of financial incentives available through USDA conservation programs, such as the general or continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) sign-up, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) and Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). Some incentive programs even pay better than farming marginal land. Many state and local governments, as well as some private organizations, offer additional financial incentives to install conservation buffers to increase a farmer’s or landowner’s income. But don't take our word for it, view actual Ohio farmers' testimonials. 

Financial incentives available through the continuous CRP sign-up are especially attractive:

• A signing incentive payment of $100 to $150 per acre for riparian buffers, filter strips, grassed waterways and field windbreaks.
• Up to 50 percent cost sharing for practice installation.
• An incentive payment equal to 40 percent of eligible practice installation costs.
• A 20 percent rental rate incentive for riparian buffers, filter strips, grassed waterways, and field windbreaks.
• A 10 percent rental rate incentive for wellhead protection areas.
• Higher annual maintenance payments per acre for certain activities.

Furthermore, many states, including Ohio, are cooperating in an especially lucrative program called the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). Under CREP, state governments provide financial incentives in addition to CRP payments in designated watershed areas.

Buffers Provide Stable Income. Incentive payments are regular and predictable. Unlike poor crops, incentive payments are not void due to flooding or other erratic environmental or weather-related incidents.

Buffers Comply with Environmental Regulations. Conservation buffers may help you meet Federal, state or local pollution control requirements. Buffers also offer a setback distance for agricultural chemical use from water sources.

Buffers Provide Safety.  Buffers keep farm machinery away from steep ditch banks.

Buffers Make Farming Convenient.  Buffers can be installed to square up fields to eliminate point rows, end rows, and crooked field boundaries.

Buffers Protect Buildings. Windbreaks prevent wind damage to shingles, metal roofs, spouting, and barn doors.

Environmental Buffer Benefits

Ohio Lake Erie Buffer Office ~ 3900 Campus Drive Suite A ~ Lima, OH 45804

Information on this site is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed. The Ohio Lake Erie Buffer Program disclaims any liability for any errors or omissions. The Ohio Lake Erie Buffer Team prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or family status.

Modified by Benjamin Marckel, January 2003