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Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Staff Contact: Tim Garrahan, Farm Bill Specialist
Phone: (302) 678-4260
FAX: (302) 678-0843
Delaware State EQIP Program Information
Background /Implementation
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was reauthorized in the
Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) to provide a
voluntary conservation program for farmers and ranchers that promotes
agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals.
EQIP offers financial and technical assistance to help eligible participants
install or implement structural and management practices on eligible
agricultural land.
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 payments to implement
conservation practices. Landowners and operators who are engaged in livestock or
agricultural production on eligible land may participate in the EQIP program.
EQIP activities are carried out according to an environmental quality incentives
program plan of operations. The plan is developed in conjunction with the
producer and identifies the appropriate conservation practice or practices to
address the resource concerns. All EQIP conservation practices are subject to
NRCS technical standards in the Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) that are
adapted to Delaware conditions. The County Conservation District approves the
plan.
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EQIP provides payments for certain conservation practices and
activities. However certain historically underserved producers (Limited
resource farmers/ranchers, beginning farmers/ranchers, socially
disadvantaged producers) may be eligible for larger payments. Farmers and
ranchers may elect to use a certified Technical Service Provider (TSP)
for technical assistance needed for certain eligible activities and
services. The new Farm Bill established a new payment limitation for
individuals or legal entity participants who may not receive, directly
or indirectly, payments that, in the aggregate, exceed $300,000 for all
program contracts entered during any six year period. Projects
determined as having special environmental significance may, with
approval of the NRCS Chief, have the payment limitation raised to a
maximum of $450,000.
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EQIP applications are accepted throughout the year at Delaware USDA Service Centers.
State Resource Priorities and Management Systems:
- Reduction of non-point source pollutants including nutrients, sediment,
and pesticides in impaired watersheds consistent with TMDL’s as well as the
reduction of groundwater contamination.
- Agricultural Waste Management Systems - Nutrients, Sediments
- Integrated Crop Management Systems - Nutrients, Pesticides
- Planned Grazing Management Systems - Nutrients, Sediments
- Conservation of ground and surface water resources
- Irrigation Water Management Systems - Water conservation
- Reduction of emissions such as particulate matter and volatile
organic compounds that contribute to air quality impairment.
- Agricultural Waste Management Systems - Volatile organic compounds
- Poultry House Windbreak Management Systems - Particulate matter
- Reduction in soil erosion and sedimentation from erodible
land.
- Erosion Control Systems - Sediments
- Promotion of at-risk species habitat recovery
- Biodiversity Management Systems - Habitat recovery
*NEW! Next batch date
for 2012 EQIP program set for December 23, 2011 (first batch date was 10/7/2011)
*NEW!
2012
Application Cutoff Dates for the three EQIP Initiatives–
Energy, Seasonal High Tunnel and Organic.
a. 1st
Application Cutoff Date – February 3, 2012
b. 2nd
Application Cutoff Date – March 30, 2012
c. 3rd
Application Cutoff Date – June 1, 2012
Archive of Delaware's Environmental Quality Incentives Program
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