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Environmental Quality Incentives ProgramUpdated 10/09/2008 The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was reauthorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) to provide a voluntary conservation program for farmers and ranchers that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land. EQIP offers contracts with a minimum term that ends one year after the implementation of the last scheduled practices and a maximum term of ten years. These contracts provide incentive payments and cost-shares to implement conservation practices. 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 an environmental quality incentives program plan of operations 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. EQIP may cost-share up to 75 percent of the costs of certain conservation practices. Incentive payments may be provided for up to three years to encourage producers to carry out management practices they may not otherwise use without the incentive. However, limited resource producers and beginning farmers and ranchers may be eligible for cost-shares up to 90 percent. Farmers and ranchers may elect to use a certified third-party provider for technical assistance. An individual or entity may not receive, directly or indirectly, cost-share or incentive payments that, in the aggregate, exceed $450,000 for all EQIP contracts entered during the term of the Farm Bill. EQIP Sign-up Information On-LineEQIP sign-up information is available online. Click on the State where your farm or ranching interest is located. This will take you to the application information for that State, the official ranking criteria used to evaluate your application, and a link to the form NRCS-CPA-1200, Application for Participation and/or Contract. EQIP National Priorities NewEQIP National Priorities Comments from the Federal Register Request
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USDA Service Center
EForms Web Site - for instructions and information EQIP Fact Sheets and other Program InformationEQIP Fact Sheet EQIP Key Points EQIP Questions and Answers EQIP Program Description EQIP Ground and Surface Water Conservation Fact Sheet EQIP Rules and Notices with Supporting Documents
Federal
Register Notice - National Listening Session and requests for
Public Comments on EQIP Priorities by June 5, 2005 Additional InformationMay 21, 2004 EQIP Memorandum: Questions and Answers April 20, 2004 EQIP Memorandum: FSA and NRCS Responsibilities February 26, 2003 EQIP Memorandum: FSA and NRCS Responsibilities August 28, 2002 EQIP Memorandum: FSA and NRCS Responsibilities EQIP Regulation Decision Matrix
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