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Environmental Quality Incentives Program

Updated 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-Line

EQIP 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 New
EQIP National Priorities Comments from the Federal Register Request

 

These documents require Adobe Acrobat DocumentAdobe Acrobat Reader andPowerPoint DocumentPowerPoint

Forms

USDA Service Center EForms Web Site - for instructions and information

Forms Needed for Sign Up:

Adobe Acrobat DocumentEQIP Program Application and Appendix

 Forms Needed for Conservation Planning:

Adobe Acrobat DocumentAD-1155, Conservation Plan and Schedule of Operations
Adobe Acrobat DocumentAD-1156, Revision of Conservation of Plan or Schedule of Operations or Modification of Contract

EQIP Fact Sheets and other Program Information

Adobe Acrobat DocumentEQIP Fact Sheet
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEQIP Key Points
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEQIP Questions and Answers
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEQIP Program Description
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEQIP Ground and Surface Water Conservation Fact Sheet

EQIP Rules and Notices with Supporting Documents

Adobe Acrobat DocumentFederal Register Notice - National Listening Session and requests for Public Comments on EQIP Priorities  by June 5, 2005
Adobe Acrobat DocumentFinal Rule
Adobe Acrobat DocumentSummary of the Final Rule
Adobe Acrobat DocumentCivil Rights Analysis
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEnvironmental Risk Assessment
Environmental Assessment and FONSI

Additional Information

Adobe Acrobat DocumentMay 21, 2004 EQIP Memorandum:  Questions and Answers 
Adobe Acrobat DocumentApril 20, 2004 EQIP Memorandum:  FSA and NRCS Responsibilities
Adobe Acrobat DocumentFebruary 26, 2003 EQIP Memorandum: FSA and NRCS Responsibilities
Adobe Acrobat DocumentAugust 28, 2002 EQIP Memorandum: FSA and NRCS Responsibilities

EQIP Regulation Decision Matrix

Adobe Acrobat DocumentAction Checklist
Adobe Acrobat DocumentMaking Better Decision
Adobe Acrobat DocumentCoordinated Issues

EQIP FY-2004 Program Information

Adobe Acrobat DocumentNational Priorities Distribution
PowerPoint DocumentEQIP Presentation

Program Information by Fiscal Year

Program Contact

Edward Brzostek, EQIP Specialist, 202-720-1834

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