FELDA, Fla. – The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers a cost-sharing program that helps farmers operate more sustainably by paying for environmentally friendly improvements.

As FOX 4’s community correspondent for Hendry County, I work in this area every day, so I visited Circle C Farm in Felda to learn how the program has helped their farm and how other farmers like it could benefit.

Check out my report here…

GOING GREEN: Cost-sharing program helps farmers increase sustainability and save money

Circle C Farm is a 200-acre cattle operation that has been in operation since 2012.

“We offer our fantastic meat, eggs and honey that we produce here directly to the consumer,” said Nicole Cruz, owner of Circle C Farm.

Austin Shargorodski

However, Cruz said running a farm takes a lot of hard work and money, so she turned to the NRCS cost-share program early on for help.

“They allowed us to put up additional fencing on the property – and that’s a cost-share program – and then we were also able to install solar panels on our wells,” Cruz said.

Austin Shargorodski

Cruz said the solar panels save money and keep water flowing even if the power goes out during a hurricane. Juan Hernandez, conservation officer with the Florida NRCS, said the program helps farmers like Nicole adopt green technology without financially ruining themselves.

“The real intention is to unite conservation and production into a common goal – that is one of the main components of our support,” Hernandez explained.

Austin Shargorodski

Hernandez said the program helps with a range of projects – from grassland management and invasive species control to irrigation systems – and makes farms more efficient and sustainable.

“You can do it because it’s the right thing to do, and you can do it because it makes financial sense. In fact, it’s more productive and more sustainable when you manage your land in a conservation-minded way,” Hernandez said.

Austin Shargorodski

This year, Hernandez said, the NRCS has invested $45 million in farms nationwide and expects that amount to rise to $100 million by 2026.

He said the money came from the Inflation Control Act and the Agricultural Act – and the upcoming renewal of the Agricultural Act would give even more farmers the opportunity to switch to organic farming.

“This is really important if we want to make sure that our focus is on being able to feed our own communities and ensure that our communities are fed sustainably over the long term,” Cruz said.

To learn more, Hernandez said farmers should contact their local NRCS office to find out what programs are available.

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov