Water is the heart and soul of Kansas agriculture.

The Milford Watershed Regional Conservation Partnership Program is here to help agricultural producers take action on water quality. It's a voluntary program to help farmers and landowners increase the health of their land and make their operations more efficient, while improving water quality both at home and downstream.

Benefits include:

  • Increasing soil health

  • Improving fish, wildlife, and game habitats

  • Ensuring future agricultural productivity

  • Protecting the safety of drinking water supplies

Best Management Practices

A Best Management Practice is a voluntary project, action, or plan that will help control nutrient pollution or erosion resulting from agricultural land use. They range from simple steps that can reduce nutrient loss to comprehensive plans for maximizing your land's health and efficiency. Any combination of Best Management Practices are eligible for cost-share reimbursement through this conservation program. 

Here’s some of the Best Management Practices that are eligible for reimbursement through the Milford Watershed RCPP. Click here to see a full list (PDF)

  • Nutrient Management

Managing the amount, form, placement and timing of application of plant nutrients.

  • Nutrient Management Plan

Managing the amount/rate, source, placement/method of placement
and timing of plant nutrients & soil amendments.

  • Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan

Overall plan to address nutrient management, land treatment, manure, wastewater handling, storage, and record keeping.

  • Access control

The temporary or permanent exclusion of animals, people, vehicles, and/or equipment from an area.

  • Heavy Use Area

    The stabilization of livestock feeding areas and watering areas frequently and intensively used by animals, by surfacing with suitable materials, and/or installing needed structures.

  • Fencing

    Installing fences in the right place can help improve the quality of water near livestock.

  • Residue & Tillage Management: Reduced Till or No Till

Managing the amount, orientation and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round, while limiting soil-disturbing activities to only those necessary to place nutrient, condition residue and plant crops.

  • Cover Crop Planting

    Cover crop farming methods can limit erosion, improve water infiltration, and suppress weeds. Cover crops are also effective at managing nutrient runoff and provide foraging habitats for game and wildlife.

  • Watering facility

  • And More!

Resources and Incentives

Through the RCPP, Kansas agricultural producers in the Milford Lake Watershed can receive up to 90% cost-share to put a combination of Best Management Practices into action. Do you qualify for RCPP funding to make improvements to your land or operation? Contact us now to find out.