Assistance Listings

Environmental Quality Incentives Program

Objectives

EQIP promotes agricultural production, forest management, and environmental quality as compatible national goals and optimizes environmental benefits on eligible land with farmers, ranchers, and non-industrial private forest land owners. It is a voluntary program using partnerships with local, State, Tribal and Federal agencies, producer associations, and nonprofit organizations to provide flexible technical and financial assistance to implement and maintain structural, vegetative, and land management conservation practices, including practices related to organic production.

Examples of Funded Projects

Assistance Listing Description

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Total EQIP conservation payments are limited to $450,000 in financial assistance per person or legal entity for contracts entered into between fiscal years 2019 through 2024, regardless of the number of contracts. Average contract obligation in FY 2024 is approx. $58,000.

Accomplishments

Account Identification

12-1004-0-1-302

Types of Assistance

J - Provision of Specialized Services, C - Direct Payments for Specified Use

Credentials and Documentation

Evidence that applicant has control over the land to be entered into a contract and submits an acceptable conservation plan for the farm or ranch unit of concern that incorporates needed natural resource conservation practices and provides either a social security number or individual tax identification number of all proposed beneficiaries. Applicants claiming either limited resource producer or beginning farmer, or veteran farmer classification may be asked to provide documents to justify their claim. NRCS requires all program payments be made by direct deposit unless the participant requests a waiver as described in 31 CFR Part 208.4, paragraph (a). 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Applicant Eligibility

Agricultural producers who face serious threats to soil, water, and related natural resources, or who need assistance with complying with Federal and State environment laws. A participant may be an owner, landlord, operator, or tenant of eligible agricultural lands or non-industrial forestlands. Limited resource producers, small-scale producers, social disadvantaged individuals, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, Alaska natives, and Pacific Islanders are encouraged to apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility

To be eligible the agricultural producers must be in compliance with highly erodible land and wetland conservation provisions and in compliance with the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) payment limitations.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

An EQIP contract expires after the last planned practice is implemented but cannot be longer than 10 years. Obligations for assistance are tied to the schedule for applying conservation practices included in the EQIP plan of operations used as the basis for the contract. Payments are made when the participant and NRCS certify that the conservation practice is completed in accordance with NRCS standards and specifications. Technical assistance may be provided by a certified Technical Service Provider (TSP). The participant may not engage a TSP prior to contract approval. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Payment upon completion of practices.

Use of Assistance

Technical assistance is provided for conservation planning, design and implementation of conservation practices for eligible participants. Financial assistance is provided for implementation of structural, vegetative and land management practices. Payments may be made to implement one or more eligible structural, vegetative, and land management conservation practices. Fifty percent of the funding available for assistance shall be targeted at practices relating to livestock production. Ten percent of the funding available for assistance shall be targeted at practices relating to wildlife habitat.

Deadlines

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedures

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program.

Program participation is voluntary. The applicant applies at the local USDA Service Center on Form NRCS-CPA-1200. Applications may be filed at any time during the year.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Applications will be periodically ranked and selected for funding based on the cost-effectiveness of the conversation practices; the environmental benefits derived; extent to which the contract will assist the applicant in complying with Federal, State, tribal or local environmental laws; whether the land is located in a priority area and the extent the contract will assist the priority area goals and objectives. Applications will be funded in the priority order until the available funds are exhausted.

Award Procedure

NRCS will give special consideration to applicants that address priority natural resource concerns designated. Applications will be periodically ranked and selected for funding based on locally developed ranking process.

Date Range for Approval/Disapproval

From 10 to 90 days.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Appeals

A participant may appeal any adverse determination.

Policy Requirements

Reports

Audits

Records

Maintained in local NRCS office and Federal record centers for specified number of years.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

7 CFR Part 1466. Program is announced through news media and in announcements to agricultural producers, farm and ranch owners and operators in the county. Program manuals, handbooks, and leaflets issued by NRCS.

Formula and Matching Requirements

Regional or Local Locations:

Headquarters Office: