United States Department of Agriculture
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Environmental Quality Incentives Program

EQIP Overview

Cropland Buffer ImageThe Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program that helps agricultural producers in a manner that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through EQIP, farmers and ranchers receive financial and technical assistance to implement structural and management conservation practices that optimize environmental benefits on working agricultural land. EQIP is re-authorized through the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill).

Accepting Applications

EQIP applications are accepted through a continuous sign-up process. NRCS periodically announces cutoff dates when applications are ranked for funding. NRCS encourages customers to apply at any time, and ranking periods will be announced.

Legislative Changes for EQIP in 2008 Farm Bill

The 2008 Farm Bill clarifies EQIP purposes to include forest management and energy conservation, as well as practices related to organic production and fuels management. Increased payments are authorized for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in addition to beginning and limited resource producers.

Assistance to organic production operations will be based on producers agreeing to develop and carry out organic system plans. Payments for conservation practices related to organic production may not exceed $20,000 per year or $80,000 during any six-year period.

The overall payment limitation is reduced to $300,000 per person or legal entity over a six-year period.

Environmental and Operational Benefits

EQIP can provide financial and technical assistance to plan and design such measures as, but not limited to, the following.

  • Grazing management:  fencing, stockwater systems, range and pasture planting
  • Nutrient management:  manure storage structures, planned nutrient applications, soil testing
  • Pest management:  crop and pest monitoring activities
  • Erosion control:  grade control structures, diversions, water and sediment control basins
  • Wildlife habitat enhancement:  stream buffers, upland wildlife habitat establishment

These and the many other measures included in EQIP can help producers accomplish a variety of operational goals, which may include:

  • Improvements to the long-term productivity and sustainability of an agricultural operation;
  • Improved condition of crops and forage for livestock;
  • Reduced costs for fuel, labor, fertilizers and pesticides;
  • Energy efficient systems and field operations; and
  • Compliance with regulatory requirements.
     

Program Contact:

Jim Dunaway, Soil Conservationist
NRCS, Indianapolis, IN
jim.dunaway@in.usda.gov