Fiscal Year 2017 EQIP SIGN UP DEADLINES (Batch Dates):
November 18, 2016
February 17, 2017
Information on this page:
EQIP Signup Opportunities in Oregon
Benefits
Technical and Financial Assistance
Participant Responsibilities
Socially Disadvantaged, Beginning, and Limited Resource Farmers/Ranchers, Military Veteran Farmers
FY 2017 EQIP Practice Payment List (Coming Soon)
EQIP Eligibility
Funding Selection and Priorities
For More Information
Contacts
Archived EQIP Information
Introduction
The 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, agricultural producers receive financial and technical assistance to implement structural and management conservation practices that optimize environmental benefits on working agricultural land.
EQIP Signup Opportunities in Oregon
Those who are interested in EQIP should work with the local NRCS office to identify and plan the conservation measures you want on your land. Those who have previously developed a conservation plan with NRCS will already have the conservation planning step completed. Those who consider applying for EQIP for the first time should schedule a meeting with NRCS to discuss their options before moving forward. Local NRCS conservationists will help you develop a conservation plan, identify conservation measures and pursue funding through one of the EQIP signup options available in Oregon.
Benefits
Eligible program participants receive financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices, or activities like conservation planning, that address natural resource concerns on their land. Payments are made to participants after conservation practices and activities identified in an EQIP plan of operations are implemented. Contracts can last up to ten years in duration.
Accepting Applications
EQIP applications are accepted on a continuous basis, however, NRCS establishes application "cut-off" or submission deadline dates for evaluation, ranking and approval of eligible applications. EQIP is open to all eligible agricultural producers and submitted applications may be considered or evaluated in multiple funding pool opportunities.
| Sign-Up Option |
Description |
2016 Application Cutoff Dates |
| Regular EQIP |
EQIP applications may be submitted at any time with your local USDA Service Center. For more information, see “Technical and Financial Assistance” below.
|
11/18/2016
02/17/2017
|
| On Farm Energy Initiative |
Assist producers to conserve energy on their farms through an Agriculture Energy Management Plan (AgEMP), also known as an on-farm energy audit and provide assistance to implement various recommended measures identified in an energy audit. |
11/18/2016
02/17/2017 |
| Organic Initiative |
Special EQIP funding is available to organic growers and those transitioning to organic production. |
11/18/2016
02/17/2017 |
| EQIP National Water Quality Initiative |
Special EQIP funding is available to producers in the Brandy Creek watershed in Marion County, Oregon through the National Water Quality Initiative. |
11/18/2016
02/17/2017 |
| Sage Grouse Initiative |
Focuses on making measurable and significant progress toward treating threats to sage grouse on private lands through strategic use of conservation programs. Includes EQIP, CSP, RCPP and Easements. |
11/18/2016
02/17/2017 |
| Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative |
Available to agricultural producers, designed to strengthen local and regional food markets and increase the use of sustainable conservation practices that will improve plant and soil quality, reduce nutrient and pesticide transport and reduce energy inputs. |
11/18/2016
02/17/2017 |
| Ashland Forest All-Lands Restoration (AFAR) FS Partnership (Jackson County) |
Partnership between two USDA agencies—NRCS and the Forest Service—to improve the health and resilience of forest ecosystems on public and private lands. |
11/18/2016
02/17/2017 |
| Greater La Pine Basin Cohesive Strategy Project |
The Greater La Pine Basin Cohesive Strategy Project is a partner-driven forest restoration project that aims to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire across public and private forests in the La Pine area and build a fire-adapted community. The project will also improve the health and vigor of public and private forestlands, improving the quality of trees and plants and enhancing wildlife habitat. |
11/18/2016
02/17/2017
|
| Oregon Drought and Wildfire |
Two separate funding pools available: one for drought and one for wildfire. Targeted areas for these funding pools will be determined based on drought conditions, drought declarations, and instances of catastrophic wildfire affecting private lands. |
11/18/2016
02/17/2017
|
Technical and Financial Assistance
Technical Assistance: Those who submit an application and are accepted into EQIP may receive technical assistance to plan conservation measures. Through EQIP, NRCS provides or covers the cost of professional technical services to develop conservation measures. This includes:
- On-site assessments
- Site-specific practice and management plans/Conservation Activity Plan.
- Engineering designs
Participant Responsibilities
Applicants are responsible for completing and filing all application and eligibility paperwork as required. If funded, participants are required to sign a contract and agree to implement the planned conservation practices to NRCS standards and specifications as scheduled.
Socially Disadvantaged, Beginning, and Limited Resource Farmers/Ranchers, Military Veteran Farmers
The 2014 Farm Bill continues to address the unique circumstances and concerns of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, as well as beginning and limited resource farmers and ranchers and Veteran Farmers. It provides for voluntary participation, offers incentives, and focuses on equity in accessing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs and services. Enhancements include increased payment rates and advance payments of up to 50 percent to purchase materials and services needed to implement conservation practices included in their EQIP contract.
Oregon is committed to reaching out to Historically Underserved individuals and groups. Historically Underserved participants may also receive higher payment rates in addition to being considered in high priority funding pools. See the Small & Limited and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers page for the NRCS definition of the Historically Underserved.
2017 EQIP Practice Payment Lists (coming soon)
EQIP participants may also receive financial assistance to offset the costs associated with installation or adoption of conservation practices. Eligible conservation practices that are listed in the EQIP Practice Payment Schedule list below:
- Irrigation systems
- Irrigation water management
- Forest stand improvements
- Fence
- Livestock watering
- Waste management systems
- Vegetative buffers
- and more
EQIP Eligibility
To participate in any of the EQIP sign-up options, an applicant must be an individual, entity or joint operation that meets EQIP eligibility criteria. For more detailed information, go to: EQIP Eligibility
EQIP Funding Selection and Priorities
Priorities for EQIP funding are established locally, based on locally identified natural resource needs consistent with state and national EQIP priorities. Local Work Groups convened by local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) provide advice to NRCS about natural resource issues and priorities within their counties. EQIP applications are evaluated based on these county priorities and are then prioritized for funding. Applications that best address natural resources as described in the ranking criteria are prioritized for funding.
For detailed ranking criteria based on location, click on one of the pages below:
EQIP Ranking Questions (PDF, 46 KB)
EQIP Conservation Activity Plan (CAP) -- Coming Soon
For More Information
NRCS National EQIP Website
Federal Register, 2008 EQIP Interim Final Rule and Correction (PDF, 54 KB)
Contact
Program Contact
Todd Peplin
1201 NE Lloyd Blvd
Portland Oregon 97232
503-414-3292
Local Contact
Please contact the District Conservationist in the USDA Service Center nearest the location of your property.
Archived EQIP Information
