Technology developed by the Plant Materials Program exists today for treating soil and water resource degradation with inexpensive vegetative procedures that require little maintenance once established. For instance, products developed by the Program were used to plant about 22 million acres of highly erodible land with permanent vegetation in the Great Plains as part of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Approximately 85% of the Washington State Conservation Reserve Program acreage is planted to products produced by the Program.
Since the late 1930's, PMCs have released 385 conservation plants and developed technology for their use. Measuring these accomplishments in a way that captures their exclusive benefits to society is very difficult because plant materials are often used in conjunction with other conservation practices and measures. The soil saved, resources protected, livestock fed or wildlife sheltered are examples of benefits that are difficult to measure. To determine effectiveness of the program, the value of PMC developed plants grown by commercial producers is compared to the Federal cost of the program. The ratio of commercial production to program costs in 1990 was 16:1.
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For Technical Information Please Visit:NRCS Electronic Field Office Technical Guide Native Plant Propogation Protocol Database |