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Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)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, all eligible 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. Producers can apply for EQIP on a continuous basis at their local NRCS field office. Cut-off dates will be announced when applications will be ranked and selected for funding. *Beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers may be eligible for higher financial assistance rate and other benefits. EQIP Initiatives
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Reader 2013 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. Seasonal High TunnelsApplications submitted by May 17, will be ranked and considered for FY 2013 funding. A portion of NRCS-Michigan EQIP funds are designated for seasonal high tunnels. Seasonal high tunnels allow producers to extend the growing season and the availability of locally grown fruits and vegetables. Applications for Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative funds must be submitted by Jan. 18, 2013 to be included in the initial selection for Fiscal Year 2013 funds.
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Air Quality InitiativeApplications submitted by May 17, will be ranked and considered for FY 2013 funding. The Air Quality Initiative provides EQIP funds for specified conservation activities that help improve air quality. Producers in counties identified as having impaired air quality are eligible to apply for Air Quality Initiative funds. Practices eligible for Air Quality funds are identified on the EQIP Eligible Practices and Payment Schedule.
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On-Farm Energy InitiativeA portion of NRCS-Michigan 2013 EQIP funds are designated for On-Farm-Energy activities. Producers can receive financial assistance to have an energy audit conducted on their farm by an authorized entity. Producers who have a completed energy audit can receive financial assistance for implementing designated conservation practices. Practices eligible for On-Farm Energy Initiative funds are identified on the EQIP practices list. Applications for On-Farm Energy Initiative funds must be submitted by Jan. 18, 2013 to be included in the initial selection for Fiscal Year 2013 funds. Drought Assistance Available for Producers in Four Michigan CountiesApplications submitted by May 17, will be ranked and considered for FY 2013 funding. A portion of NRCS-Michigan 2013 EQIP funds are designated for practices that help alleviate drought conditions. All Michigan producers can apply for these funds. Applications for these funds must be submitted by January 18, 2013. Practices eligible for drought assistance funds are identified on the EQIP Eligible Practices and Payment Schedule.
National Water Quality InitiativeEQIP practices eligible for funding through NWQI are indicated on the "Eligible Practices and Payment Schedule" linked above.
Organic InitiativeApplications submitted by May 17, will be ranked and considered for FY 2013 funding. 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
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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. 2013 NRCS-Michigan CCPI Announcement 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. NRCS is accepting grant applications for fiscal year 2013 funding until March 22, 2013. 2013 National CIG Announcement
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.
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Adobe Acrobat Western Lake Erie Basin Priority AreaThe Western Lake Erie Basin includes all of Lenawee and Monroe counties and portions of Hillsdale, Jackson, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. The financial assistance is available for producers to implement selected conservation activities that help prevent fertilizers and sediment from agricultural land from entering Lake Erie. The following document requires
Adobe Acrobat Greenhouse Gas InitiativeEQIP practices eligible for funding through NWQI are indicated on the "Eligible Practices and Payment Schedule" linked above. Edge-of-Field MonitoringThe Edge-of-Field Water Quality Monitoring Initiative provides financial assistance to monitor the effectiveness of conservation practices in improving surface water quality. Farmers in the Hayworth Creek, Kearsley-Swartz and Mid-Shiawassee River watersheds are eligible to apply for the initiative. The watersheds are located primarily in Clinton, Genesee, Oakland and Shiawassee counties with a small portion in Lapeer County 2013 Field-Edge Monitoring Sign-Up Announcement 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 05/14/2013 |
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