  |
 |
 |
 |
Michigan Home
About Us
News
Programs
Technical Resources
Partnerships
Contact Us
|
   |
|
|
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)The first selection date for Fiscal Year 2012 EQIP Applications is Jan. 18, 2012 - Completed applications received before Jan. 18 will be ranked and considered for selection EQIP General Program DescriptionThe Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. It supports production agriculture and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through EQIP, farmers, ranchers, private forest land owners and Federally-recognized American Indian tribes may receive financial and technical assistance to implement structural and land management conservation practices on eligible agricultural land. Eligible producers are individuals engaged in livestock, crop or forest production. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pasture, and private non-industrial forestland. State priorities are developed annually from input from local workgroups based on county resource assessments and individual plans to address those local needs. A State Technical Committee comprised of representation from these local work groups, Tribal groups, commodity groups, and conservation partners advise NRCS on the implementation of EQIP. EQIP activities are carried out according to a site specific conservation plan developed in conjunction with the producer. All conservation practices are installed according to NRCS technical standards. Producers may elect to use an approved technical service provider for technical assistance. EQIP offers contracts with a minimum term of one year after the implementation of the last scheduled practice and a maximum term of ten years. Total cost share and incentive payments are limited to $300,000 per individual over a six-year period, regardless of the number of farms or contracts. Eligibility for EQIP is subject to the Adjusted Gross Income provision of the 2008 Farm Bill and highly erodible land and wetland conversion provisions. EQIP InitiativesOrganic Initiative - The first selection of applications is Feb. 3, with subsequent selection dates of March 30, and June 1, 2012 Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative Conservation Innovation Grants - Proposals for state-level grants are due by March 30, 2012 Agricultural Water Enhancement Program These documents require
Adobe Acrobat
Reader 2012 EQIP General Program Description DocumentsThe following documents require
Adobe Acrobat. *Socially Disadvantaged, Beginning, and Limited Resource Farmers/Ranchers - NRCS definition FormsThe following documents require
Adobe Acrobat. Organic InitiativeThe first selection date for applications to receive FY2012 funding is February 3, with subsequent selections set for March 30 and June 1, 2012. Through the EQIP Organic Initiative, NRCS provides assistance to eligible producers for installation of conservation practices on organic or agricultural operations transitioning to organic production. Eligible producers include those who agree to develop and carry out an organic system plan (OSP), or develop and implement conservation practices for certified organic production that are consistent with an OSP. The assistance through the EQIP program helps producers plan and implement conservation practices to achieve increased conservation benefits on their operations. EQIP is primarily used to provide financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices to address soil, water, air, plant, animal, and energy resources. A new organic provision targets organic producers and producers transitioning to organic production: - Assistance is for conservation practices related to organic production - Assistance is limited to $20,000 per year and $80,000 during a six year period - Producers are required to develop and carry out an Organic System Plan (OSP) or carry out practices consistent with an OSP Organic Initiative Documents
The following documents require
Adobe Acrobat. National NRCS Organic Initiative Web page
Cooperative Conservation Partnership InitiativeThe Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative is a voluntary conservation initiative that enables the use of certain conservation programs with resources of eligible partners to provide financial and technical assistance to owners and operators of agricultural and nonindustrial private forest lands. Under CCPI, the Natural Resources Conservation Service enters into partnership agreements with eligible entities that want to enhance conservation outcomes on agricultural and nonindustrial private forest lands. As authorized by Congress, this is not a grant program to eligible partners. This is a program whereby approved eligible partners will enter into multi-year agreements with NRCS to help enhance conservation outcomes on agricultural lands and private nonindustrial private forest lands. The intent of CCPI is for the Federal government to leverage investment in natural resources conservation along with services and resources of non-Federal partners. The following documents require
Adobe Acrobat. Conservation Innovation GrantsThe CIG program is designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Funds for single- or multi-year projects, not to exceed three years, will be awarded through a nationwide competitive grants process. In fiscal year 2012, CIG has two competitions available: National and State. Proposals for national-level CIG grants are now being accepted until March 30, 2012. News Release for Michigan CIG Grants Michigan CIG Announcement on Grants.gov - proposals due by March 30, 2012 (includes link to application and instructions) CIG FY 2012 Announcement for Program Funding (PDF, 109 KB)
Agricultural Water Enhancement ProgramThe Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) is a voluntary conservation initiative that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to implement agricultural water enhancement activities on agricultural land for the purposes of conserving surface and ground water and improving water quality. As part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, AWEP operates through contracts with producers to plan and implement conservation practices in project areas established through partnership agreements. Under AWEP, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) enters into partnership agreements with eligible entities that want to promote ground and surface water conservation or improve water quality on agricultural lands. The Secretary of Agriculture has delegated the authority for AWEP to the NRCS Chief.
The following document requires
Adobe Acrobat ContactTo apply for EQIP, contact your local USDA Service Center.
For general questions about EQIP contact the Michigan NRCS EQIP Coordinator. Steve Law, EQIP Coordinator Last Modified 02/02/2012 |
|
|
|
Back to Top