Urban + Home and Farmstead
The Shawnee County Conservation District offers financial assistance through the State Cost Share Program to support conservation practices for Farmstead Conservation Practices
The Home/Farmstead can be a source of pollutants that can contaminate the environment. Homeowners should be aware of their responsibility to protect the environment from contamination by home/farmstead pollution sources that can impair surface and ground water quality. Some of the home/farmstead practices are highlighted below.
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Eligible Practices
Abandoned Water Well Plugging
The plugging of an abandoned water well involves the sealing and permanent closure of a water well no longer in use. Kansas law requires that all abandoned wells and test holes be properly plugged.
Proper plugging accomplishes five goals:

• Restores protective barrier to minimize groundwater contamination
• Removes physical hazards by removing tempting openings for curious children and animals
• Restores stability to the land surface (load carrying capacity)
• Eliminates or reduces liability exposure
• Protects and improves property values

There is a per foot payment rate used to calculate total payment on each contract.

​ Program Regulations & Requirements (K.A.R.)
The State Cost Share Program follows Kansas Administrative Regulations for the Water Resources Cost Share Program (WRCSP) and the Non‑point Source (NPS) Program. Key requirements include:
Project Approval & Maintenance

• Projects must be approved by contract before any work begins.
• Practices must be maintained for at least 10 years, or for the life of the practice.
• A prorated repayment may apply if maintenance requirements are not met.
• Financial Assistance
• Assistance is limited to 70% of actual cost or the countywide average cost, whichever is lower.
• Funding levels cannot change mid‑year unless authorized by the Kansas State Conservation Commission.
• Maximum cost share is:
• $10,000 per practice, or
• $20,000 for livestock waste or irrigation systems in high‑priority areas.

How to Apply
Applications are processed through the Shawnee County Conservation District.
Required Application Items

• Landowner name (operator of record for cover crops)
• W‑9 for all owners (trusts must include W‑9s for all members)
• FSA Form 156
• Project map with details clearly marked
• Original signatures
• Completed ranking criteria form

Additional Application Questions

• Previous cost share participation within the past two years
• Current crop and planned crop
• Fertilizer application with cover crop seeding (Yes/No)
• Desired grass type (cool season or warm season)
• Planned termination method for cover crops

 Contracting & Deadlines

• No work may begin prior to contract approval.
• Work typically may not begin before July 1 of the program year.
• Contract work window: July 1 – April 15
• Contracts may carry a default 60‑day expiration, unless modified by the district.
• Extensions may be granted within the contract year.

Maintenance & Repayment Schedule

• If practice fails to be maintained for the full 10‑year lifespan, repayment may be required:

Year After Installation
Repayment Required

• Within 5 years- 100%
• Year 6- 80%
• Year 7- 60%
• Year 8- 40%
• Year 9-20%
• Year 10-10%

Maintenance responsibilities must be transferred if the land is sold. 
Inspection & Certification
A district technician or qualified representative will:

• Inspect work in progress.
• Verifying the practice meets specifications.
• Certify proper installation to the Kansas State Conservation Commission.

Average Cost Share 

📞 Call: (785) 266-9053 ext. 3                                                     Visit: 3231 SW VanBuren Street Ste: 2 Topeka, Kansas 66611                                        📧 Email: [email protected]