Four Alabama projects will receive about $8 million in federal funding to combat feral swine populations and repair damage to agricultural land and natural resources, including a project targeting Baldwin and Mobile counties.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Nov. 3 in a news release that it had awarded $51.9 million to 29 projects across 13 states through its Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program. The funding is part of a broader $105 million investment involving the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

Alabama's four projects, led by the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee, will receive a combined $8,007,224. The projects will focus on reducing feral swine populations, helping landowners manage the animals and restoring property damaged by their activity.

In Baldwin and Mobile counties, a five-year project will receive $2,021,684 to address feral swine populations and the resulting agricultural and environmental damage. The initiative also aims to build landowner capacity to continue control efforts after the federal project concludes.

Initial efforts will target connected areas of approximately 5,000 acres where feral swine activity and damage are particularly high and neighboring landowners are willing to participate.

Over the 60-month project period, organizers expect to treat at least 25,000 acres, assist at least 120 eligible producers and landowners and restore approximately 980 acres of land damaged by feral swine.

The Baldwin-Mobile initiative is one of four Alabama projects selected for funding. The other projects will address feral swine populations in Barbour and Bullock counties; Lamar, Sumter and Pickens counties; and Monroe and Wilcox counties.

Each project is designed to reduce the animals' impact while giving landowners the resources and knowledge needed to maintain control efforts over time.

The Barbour-Bullock project will receive $2,021,684 and has the same goals of treating at least 25,000 acres, assisting 120 producers and landowners and restoring approximately 980 acres. Eligible producers will also have access to cost-share assistance for approved trapping equipment and land restoration practices.

The Lamar-Sumter-Pickens project will receive $1,942,172. Its organizers noted that approximately 50 landowners in the project area have requested feral swine assistance through Alabama's Conservation Incentive Program over the past four years despite limited funding and publicity.

The Monroe-Wilcox project will receive $2,021,684. Approximately 70 landowners in that area have requested assistance through the same program during the past four years.

Both projects also expect to treat at least 25,000 acres, assist at least 120 eligible producers and landowners and restore approximately 980 acres. Cost-share assistance for approved trapping equipment and restoration practices will be available to eligible producers.

Across Alabama, the four projects are expected to conduct activities on at least 100,000 acres, helping agricultural producers and landowners address damage caused by feral swine.

“Feral swine pose a threat to America’s working lands, and through this program, we’re bringing together America’s agricultural producers and partners to combat feral swine and protect agricultural landscapes,” said NRCS Chief Colton L. Buckley in the release. “The selected projects will take critical steps to eradicate and control feral swine across the nation where their impact is creating the most harm.”

APHIS Administrator Kelly Moore said the agency will continue working with NRCS and its partners to reduce feral swine populations and protect farms and natural resources.

“Feral swine continue to inflict serious damage on America’s farms, ranches, and natural resources,” Moore said. “APHIS looks forward to continuing to work with NRCS partners to augment and strengthen our efforts to eradicate and control feral swine populations for the benefit of agricultural and natural resources. Together, we can and will advance the eradication of feral swine and reduce the harm they cause to American farmers and the nation’s natural resources.”

Feral swine can damage plant and wildlife habitats, disrupt soil, affect water quality and threaten other natural resources. The animals can also carry diseases that pose risks to livestock and people.

Through the pilot program, selected partners will provide landowners with assistance for land restoration, trapping efforts and related services such as training. Funding will be distributed through grant agreements between the partners and NRCS. All projects will involve coordinated efforts among the selected partners, NRCS and APHIS.

FUNDING EXTENDS ACROSS 13 STATES

In addition to Alabama, the USDA selected projects in Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Louisiana will receive $3 million for a project covering approximately 16.6 million acres across 27 parishes in portions of the Red River and Mississippi River basins. The initiative will expand surveillance and trapping, provide landowner education and coordinate removal operations.

Florida also will receive $3 million for a South Central project intended to protect agricultural production areas, safeguard water quality and provide producers with training and tools to manage feral swine populations.

Other projects across the participating states will focus on trapping programs, landowner education, monitoring animal populations, restoring damaged property and coordinating removal efforts.

The funding was provided through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which USDA said delivers the largest long-term investment in NRCS conservation programs in decades.

Since 2020, NRCS has invested $92.9 million in 63 projects through the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program. Those efforts have assisted more than 6,700 landowners across nearly 9 million acres to reduce feral swine damage.

Partners also have conducted more than 800 events focused on teaching landowners trapping techniques.

The NRCS has worked for more than 90 years with farmers, ranchers and forestland owners to improve air, water, soil and wildlife habitat. The agency provides technical and financial assistance through voluntary conservation programs designed to help producers protect working lands and strengthen agricultural operations.

Additional information about the program and its projects is available through the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service at www.nrcs.usda.gov.