Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
2002 Farm Bill Fact Sheet October 2007
Background
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary program
that provides financial and technical assistance to persons involved in
livestock and agricultural production. EQIP focuses on priority environmental
concerns, including water quality improvement and nutrient management.
Contracts
EQIP offers up to 10-year contracts that provide financial incentives to
install conservation practices. Applications are accepted throughout the year,
then ranked and approved according to environmental points.
Plans of Operation
All EQIP activities must be carried out according to a conservation plan.
Plans are site-specific for each farm and developed by producers with help from
NRCS and the Conservation Districts.
Practice Payments
EQIP pays up to 75 percent of the costs of eligible conservation practices
including waste storage structures, mortality composters, and poultry house
windbreaks; and incentive payments for management practices such as nutrient
management and pest management.
Eligibility
Participation is open to all agricultural producers including large confined
livestock operations.
Funding
EQIP funding is provided state wide to address significant resource concerns.
The highest priority for funding is to address excess nutrients associated with
livestock operations and to assist farmers comply with the DNMC mandated
nutrient management plans.
Total EQIP payments are limited to $450,000 per individual or entity for the
length of the current Farm Bill –2002 through 2007. Additional funding of
contracts may be available through the conservation districts.
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