Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

Purpose:

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program aimed at promoting agricultural production and environmental quality. The program provides cost-share payments and other incentive payments to producers to treat identified soil, water, and related natural resource concerns on eligible land. The program supports the development and implementation of conservation plans in critical areas.

Administering Agency:

USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service. State Technical Committees, Tribal Representatives and local working groups convened by conservation districts advise and assist NRCS on program implementation.

Forest Landowner Eligibility:

Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pasture, private non-industrial forestland, and other farm or ranch lands as determined by the Secretary. An EQIP plan of operation is required. These plans are site-specific and may be developed by producers with the help of NRCS or other certified producers. The State Conservationist, with advice of the State Technical Committee will identify conservation practices eligible for financial assistance.

Assistance Offered:

EQIP may pay up to 75 percent of the costs of certain conservation practices important to improving and maintaining the health of natural resources in the area. Incentive payments may be made to encourage a producer to adopt land management practices such as nutrient management, manure management, integrated pest management, irrigation water management, and wildlife habitat management.

Limited resource farmers and beginning farmers may be eligible for up to 90 percent of the cost of conservation practices.

Changes Enacted in 2002 Farm Bill:

  • Minimum length of an EQIP contract has been reduced to 1 year after the implementation of all practices. Maximum length remains 10 years.
  • Annual payment limitation has been eliminated, however, the summ of all EQIP payments to an individual or entity cannot exceed $450,000 for all contracts signed during FY 2002 - FY 2007.
  • Applications will be evaluated for funding based on a state and locally developed procedures to optimize environmental benefits, the use of cost-effective conservation practices, and the use of practices that address national priorities.
  • Conservation Priority areas are no longer used.
  • Conservation Innovation Grants (Pending new rules)

Additional Information: