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Environmental Quality Incentives Program

December 16, 2016 Deadline for EQIP Applications

Sign up for the program is offered on a continuous basis however, producers
should submit applications by December 16, 2016 to their local NRCS office
to ensure they are considered for 2017 enrollment.

General DescriptionFolderol Farm - tunnel and producer

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers through contracts up to a maximum term of ten years in length. These contracts provide financial assistance to help plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns and for opportunities to improve soil, water, plant, animal, air and related resources on agricultural land and non-industrial private forestland. In addition, a purpose of EQIP is to help producers meet Federal, State, Tribal and local environmental regulations.

 

Accepting Applications

Applications are accepted, from all eligible agricultural producers or non-industrial private forest land owners, on a continuous basis throughout the year. Cutoff dates are established to allow for ranking, prioritization, and selection of applications for funding.

Applications received after December 16, 2016 will be considered for funding in fiscal year 2018.

Eligible applicants may apply for EQIP by completing an application, form NRCS-CPA-1200 and appendix at any USDA Service Center by phone, email, fax, or letter.

EQIP Initiatives

The table below identifies opportunities available through EQIP in Idaho.

Program Name

Program Description

General EQIP

Provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers through contracts to help plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns and for opportunities to improve soil, water, plant, animal, air and related resources on agricultural land and non-industrial private forestland.

National EQIP Initiatives

On-Farm Energy Initiative

Enables the producer to identify ways to conserve energy on the farm through development of Agricultural Energy Management Plans (AgEMP) also known as an on-farm energy audit; and by providing financial and technical assistance to help the producer implement various conservation practices recommended in these on-farm energy audits.

Organic Initiative

Provides financial assistance to help implement conservation practices for organic producers and those transitioning to organic to address natural resource concerns 

Seasonal High Tunnel

Assists producers to extend the growing season for high-value crops in an environmentally safe manner.  The practice has the potential to assist producers to address resource concerns by improving plant quality, improving soil quality, and reducing nutrient and pesticide transport.

Sage Grouse Initiative

Focuses on making measurable and significant progress toward treating a specific threat to sage-grouse on private lands through strategic use of conservation programs.

National Water Quality Initiative

Provide technical and financial assistance and planning tools to help farmers and ranchers determine which conservation actions will provide the best results to improve water quality on their land.  Funding limited to the Lower Sand Hollow Creek, Dixie Slough, and Outlet Boise River Watersheds.

State Initiatives

AFO/CAFO

Addresses resource concerns related to AFO/CAFO.

Forestry

Addresses resource concerns on Non-Industrial Private Forestland.

Soil Health

Promotes practices that improve soil health to reduce wind and water erosion.

Species of Concern

Provides assistance for practices that will directly improve habitat for threatened or endangered species or species of concern that have been identified as high priority species for EQIP eligible lands in Idaho.

Streambank

This funding pool is for applications that will address resource concerns related to stream bank erosion and riparian area degradation.


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.

FY 2017 EQIP Eligibility

Agricultural producers and owners of non-industrial private forestland and Tribes are eligible to apply for EQIP. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, non-industrial private forestland and other farm or ranch lands.

Socially disadvantaged, beginning and limited resource farmers, Indian tribes and veterans are eligible for an increased payment rate and may receive advance payment of up to 50 percent to purchase materials and services needed to implement conservation practices included in their EQIP contract.

Applicants must:  

  • Control or own eligible land
  • Comply with adjusted gross income limitation (AGI)  provisions
  • Be in compliance with the highly erodible land and wetland conservation requirements
  • Develop an NRCS EQIP plan of operations
  • Additional restrictions and program requirements may apply

Ranking Questions

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.

Archived Information From Past Years

Idaho EQIP Contacts

Local

Please contact the District Conservationist in the USDA Service Center nearest the location of your property. 

Idaho EQIP Program Manager: 

Ron Brooks
Phone: (208) 378-5724
Email: Ron.Brooks@id.usda.gov