Natural Resources Conservation Service sets deadline Environmental Quality
Incentives Program Sign Ups
Little Rock, Ark. – Farmers and landowners in Arkansas have until Feb. 3,
2006, to submit applications to receive cost-share assistance to implement
conservation activities through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program
(EQIP). Applicants can sign up for the program at local USDA service centers.
“This is a valuable tool to help our state’s agricultural producers meet the
significant environmental regulations they face, while continuing to be good
stewards of the land. EQIP helps them implement conservation practices that
protect our natural resources, while being compatible with production
practices,” said Kalven L. Trice, state conservationist.
Individuals and other entities engaged in livestock and/or crop production
are eligible to participate in EQIP. Eligible land includes cropland, pasture,
private non-industrial forest land, and other farm and ranch lands.
EQIP in Arkansas is specifically designed to address the resource concerns of
water quality issues related to animal manure management and sediment, improved
management of irrigation water and reduction in ground water use, reduction of
erosion, and improvement of wildlife habitat. All applications will be
evaluated for funding based on a state developed procedure to optimize
environmental benefits. Applications ranking highest in a funding category will
be funded while funds are available.
Cost-share rates are set at 50 percent for most practices with some receiving
75 percent and a few receiving 40 percent. Some practices have payment caps
that cannot be exceeded in a single contract. Applicants qualifying as a
Limited Resource Farmer may be eligible to receive an additional 15 percent. If
a contract is not fulfilled, repayment of cost-shares already paid may be
required in addition to a cost recovery up to 20 percent of the full contract
amount.
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