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Environmental Quality Incentives ProgramUpdated 07/15/2009 IntroductionThe 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. Program DescriptionEQIP 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 financial assistance to implement conservation practices. Owners of land in agricultural production or persons who are engaged in livestock or agricultural production on eligible land may participate in the EQIP program. Program practices and activities are carried out according to an EQIP program plan of operations developed in conjunction with the producer that identifies the appropriate conservation practice or measures needed to address the resource concerns. The practices are subject to NRCS technical standards adapted for local conditions. EQIP provides payments up to 75 percent of the incurred costs and income foregone of certain conservation practices and activities. However certain historically underserved producers (Limited resource farmers/ranchers, beginning farmers/ranchers, socially disadvantaged producers) may be eligible for payments up to 90 percent of the estimated incurred costs and income foregone. Farmers and ranchers may elect to use a certified Technical Service Provider (TSP) for technical assistance needed for certain eligible activities and services. The new Farm Bill established a new payment limitation for individuals or legal entity participants who may not receive, directly or indirectly, payments that, in the aggregate, exceed $300,000 for all program contracts entered during any six year period. Projects determined as having special environmental significance may, with approval of the NRCS Chief, have the payment limitation raised to a maximum of $450,000. 2009 EQIP Application InformationInformation about how to apply for assistance through EQIP is available online. Click on the State
where the property that you are interested in enrolling in EQIP is located. This will take you to
that State's Programs home page, which will link to that State's EQIP page.
Each State's EQIP page includes application ranking criteria, priority
resource concerns, lists of eligible practices, payment rates, information about where you can submit
applications, eligibility requirements and other program requirements. 2009 EQIP At-a-Glance and Other Program Information
The documents below require
Adobe Acrobat Reader EQIP National Priorities - from 2006 but are still applicable. Program Information by Fiscal YearFiscal Year 2008
Fiscal Year 2007
Fiscal Year 2006
Fiscal Year 2005
Fiscal Year 2004
Fiscal Year 2003
EQIP-related Programs
Program Contacts
Tim Beard, EQIP Program Manager, 202-690-2621 |
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