Programs

Farm Bill

Environmental Quality Incentives Program

A conservation plan will be required as part of the application evaluation. Contact your local USDA Service Center to complete the paperwork and begin the conservation planning process.

Jersey cows graze in front of a slurry tank

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and authorized through the 2002 Farm Bill. It supports production agriculture and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through EQIP, farmers may receive financial and technical help with structural and management conservation practices on agricultural and non-industrial forest land.

EQIP offers contracts with a minimum term that ends one year after the implementation of the last scheduled practice and a maximum term of ten years. Persons who are engaged in livestock or agricultural production on eligible land may participate in the EQIP program. EQIP activities are carried out according to a plan of operation developed in conjunction with the producer that identifies the appropriate conservation practice or practices to address the resource concerns. The practices are subject to NRCS technical standards adapted for local conditions.

Producers interested in applying for the 2008 sign-up are encouraged to contact their local NRCS Field Office to begin the conservation planning process and to file the necessary paperwork for program participation. Details on program participation requirements are described the Program Participation fact sheet, available on this site. EQIP offers a set payment rate for all approved conservation practices for the current program year. The 2008 Practice Payment Schedule for Massachusetts will be available in mid-October.

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