Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program (NBHIP) – Fallow Agriculture

About the Program

The Nesting Bird Habitat Program (NBHIP) supports nesting habitat on private agricultural land near rice and wetlands for upland nesting ducks and other waterbirds. This program is funded by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and administered by California Waterfowl (CWA). NBHIP is focused on improving waterfowl habitat statewide and offers a variety of programs for private landowners. You can read an overview of the various programs at this NBHIP website.

Fallow Agriculture

This program provides an incentive for farmers that are willing to delay the termination of the vegetation in fallow agricultural fields until July 15th or later. The program is compatible with water transfers and prevented planting insurance. Payment rates vary based on the type of vegetation that is in the fallow fields, $30/acre for volunteer vegetation and $110/acre for established planted cover crops. Applications are open in February and March each year. Program habitat is implemented from April through July.

Please visit CWA’s NBHIP Fallow Agriculture website for more detailed information.