Actually NRCS assistance can vary from county to county depending on the primary use of the land. The amount of effort also seems to very immensely from county to county. Here in Benton county, Missouri they will pay 75% but not more than $6500. On pond construction they will help pay on everything except removing the brush. Once the pond is complete the contractor does a cross section of the dam (NRCS is to busy to do it). The county next to us (farm country) will not pay on ponds but will still come out and design one, and upon completion will come back and cross section it to insure it was built to the proper grades.
The quality of service all depends on the people in the office. If you really want to make waves call the regional NRCS office in your area and complain about the local office. You won't believe the level of cooperation you will get.
