Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides a voluntary
conservation program for farmers and ranchers that promotes agricultural
production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. EQIP
offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants install
or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural
land. Applications for the EQIP program are accepted on a continuous
basis; however, NRCS establishes application “cut-off” dates
for evaluation and ranking of eligible applications.
EQIP offers contracts with a minimum term that ends one year after the
implementation of the last scheduled practices and a maximum term of
ten years. These contracts provide financial assistance to implement
conservation practices. Owners of land in agricultural production or
persons who are engaged in livestock or agricultural production on eligible
land may participate in the EQIP program. Program practices and activities
are carried out according to an EQIP program plan of operations developed
in conjunction with the producer that identifies the appropriate conservation
practice or measures needed to address the resource concerns. The practices
are subject to NRCS technical standards adapted for local conditions.
EQIP provides payments up to 75 percent of the incurred costs and income
foregone of certain conservation practices and activities. However certain
historically underserved producers (Limited resource farmers/ranchers,
beginning farmers/ranchers, socially disadvantaged producers) may be
eligible for payments up to 90 percent of the estimated incurred costs
and income foregone.
General information on the national EQIP
program
Application information for EQIP
in Oklahoma
EQIP Organic Initiative
Organic farmers and ranchers,
as well as those transitioning to organic, are eligible to apply for
USDA funds to help improve and expand the number of organic acres in
production. The USDA recently announced availability of $50 million through
the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to be set aside for
this Organic Initiative. $1.1 million of this
funding is available for Oklahoma.
To ensure consideration for a contract from current funds, producers
needed to file an EQIP Organic Initiative application no later than June
12, 2009.
Under the program, current organic producers, and those transitioning
to organic, can contract to implement a special set of conservation practices
and conservation planning.
EQIP Organic Initiative funds are available for six core conservation
practices: conservation crop rotation, cover crop, nutrient management,
pest management, prescribed grazing, and forage harvest management.
Under this program, payments to a single producer for organic-related
conservation practices can be up to $20,000 per year, or $80,000 during
any 6-year period.
Oklahoma producers interested in inquiring about or applying for the
EQIP Organic Initiative can call or visit an NRCS Field Service Center
or Conservation District office. To locate the nearest NRCS Field Service
Center in Oklahoma, visit www.ok.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/counties/index.html,
or call the NRCS State Office at 405.742.1204.
Additional information and resources on the EQIP Organic Initiative
are available from the following sources:
Back to Top |
