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General EQIP Program Description
Conservation Activity Plans
Irrigation Assistance
New England/New York Forestry Initiative
On-Farm Energy Initiative
Organic Agriculture Initiative
Seasonal High Tunnels Initiative
National Water Quality Initiative
Other Program Information
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General EQIP Program Description
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) offers technical and financial assistance to agricultural and forest producers to implement conservation practices. Any producer engaged in livestock or crop production on eligible land may apply for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Eligible land includes cropland (as well as hayland), pastureland, private non-industrial forestland, and other farm lands as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program is a voluntary conservation program from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. It supports production agriculture and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, agricultural producers may receive financial and technical help with structural and management conservation practices on agricultural land.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program provides financial assistance in the form of a fixed payment rate for each eligible practice and activity under contract. The payment rate will be the compensation for the program participant.
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. The deadline for general EQIP applications to be considered for funding in 2013 was July 1, 2012. The deadline for applications for Fiscal Year 2014 EQIP funding is July 2, 2013. Applicants will be asked to work with NRCS conservation planners to assess resource needs and agree on practices to treat these needs.
2013 Environmental Quality Incentives Program General Program Documents
How the Environmental Quality Incentives Program Works in Maine
Conservation Program Application Form NRCS-CPA-1200 (.pdf)
2013 Environmental Quality Incentives Program Application Information
2013 General EQIP Payment Schedule (.pdf)
National Environmental Quality Incentives Program Website
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Conservation Activity Plans
Maine NRCS has a new opportunity through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help develop Conservation Activity Plans (CAPs). A CAP is a specialized conservation plan prepared specifically for a conservation management unit. CAPs are developed by a Technical Service Provider, who is certified by NRCS and placed on an approved list to provide technical assistance to farmers and others for specific conservation programs administered by USDA. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis for all plans. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis; however, the deadline for EQIP Conservation Activity Plan for 2013 funding consideration is December 21, 2012.
Conservation Activity Plans
National Conservation Activity Plans Website
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Irrigation Assistance Available Through EQIP
Under the 2008 Farm Bill, priority will be given to water conservation or irrigation efficiency applications that will reduce water sue or where the producer agrees not to use any associated water savings to bring new land under irrigation production.
Maine NRCS will set aside at least $1,000,000 each year in financial assistance funding for eligible applicants across the state. These dollars will be used to fund projects that address irrigation efficiency and assist producers to comply with Maine Department of Environmental Protection Chapter 587 In-Stream Flows and Lake and Pond Water Levels regulations.
The signup for irrigation assistance is continuous. However, the deadline for Fiscal Year 2013 applications is December 21, 2012.
Irrigation Assistance Fact Sheet (.pdf)
2013 Irrigation Application and Evaluation Ranking Tool (.pdf)
2013 Beginning Farmer Irrigation Application and Evaluation Ranking Tool (.pdf)
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New England/New York Forestry Initiative
Federal funding is available to assist Maine's forest landowners with forest land planning and management under the New England-New York Forestry Initiative. This initiative will assist private landowners in conservation planning and management of their private forests to improve wildlife habitat, forest health and productivity, and water quality. Eligible conservation practices include forest stand improvement, early successional habitat development and management, tree and shrub establishment, upland wildlife habitat management, stream crossings, fish passage, forest trails and landings, access control, tree and shrub pruning, conservation cover, and access roads.
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis; however, the deadline for the New England/New York Forestry Initiative for 2013 funding consideration is December 21, 2012.
New England/New York Forestry Initiative Fact Sheet (.pdf)
2013 New England/New York Forestry Initiative Application and Evaluation Ranking Tool (.pdf)
2013 New England/New York Forestry Initiative Payment Schedule (.pdf)
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On-Farm Energy Initiative
The EQIP On-Farm Energy Initiative enables the producer to identify ways to conserve energy on the farm through an Agricultural Energy Management Plan (AgEMP), also known as an on-farm energy audit; and by providing financial and technical assistance to help the producer implement various measures and practices recommended in an on-farm energy audit.
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis; however, Maine NRCS is now conducting a second signup period for the On-Farm Energy Initiative, with a deadline of March 15, 2013. Applications received after this date will be considered for funding in 2014.
2013 On-Farm Energy Initiative Payment Schedule (.pdf)
National On-Farm Energy Initiative Fact Sheet (.pdf)
National Energy Initiative Website
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Organic Agriculture Initiative
Maine has received funds for an organic initiative to encourage more organic agriculture production. Funding for the initiative is being made available through EQIP. Successful applicants will receive funding to implement conservation practices that have been identified as needed to improve natural resource conditions. Not only do these practices offer significant environmental benefits, but they are also important to growers.
Under this organic initiative, three practices will receive a higher payment rate based on organic production costs and requirements. The three practices are: (1) Cover Crop, (2) Herbaceous Weed Control, and (3) Mulching. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis; however, Maine NRCS is now conducting a second signup period for the Organic Initiative, with a deadline of April 19, 2013. Applications received after this date will be considered for funding in 2014.
Additional conservation practices eligible to be contracted under the Organic Agriculture Initiative in Maine are listed in the 2012 Organic Initiative Payment Schedule. A link to this payment schedule is provided below. To access the NRCS Standard and Specification information for these practices, please go to Section IV of the Maine NRCS Electronic Field Office Technical Guide (eFOTG).
If producers who sell less than $5,000 a year wish to use EQIP to implement practices related to organic production, they may do so; however, they are required to implement conservation practices for certified organic production that are consistent with an Organic System Plan (OSP). Payments are not authorized for activities or practice components which are solely production related and are not linked to an identified resource concern. Payments may not be used for any costs related to organic certification.
2013 Organic Initiative Payment Schedule (.pdf)
National Organic Initiative Fact Sheet (.pdf)
National Organic Initiative Website
Contact: Alice Begin
(207)990-9100, Extension 3
E-mail: alice.begin@me.usda.gov
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Seasonal High Tunnels Initiative
Seasonal High Tunnels is a project under the "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative for farmers to establish high tunnels to increase the availability of locally-grown produce in a conservation-friendly way.
High tunnel systems may be eligible for financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Financial assistance will be limited to tunnels covering up to 5 percent of one acre (2,178 square feet) per farming operation - equivalent to a structure size of approximately 30 ft. x 72 ft. The season high tunnel has an expected practice life of 4 years.
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis; however, Maine NRCS is now conducting a second signup period for the Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative, with a deadline of April 19, 2013. Applications received after this date will be considered for funding in 2014.
Seasonal High Tunnel Fact Sheet (.pdf)
2013 Seasonal High Tunnel Payment Schedule (.pdf)
National High Tunnel Website
Contact: Alice Begin
(207)990-9100, Extension 3
E-mail: alice.begin@me.usda.gov
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National Water Quality Initiative
The National Water Quality Initiative will work in priority watersheds to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners improve water quality and aquatic habitats in impaired streams. NRCS will help producers implement conservation and management practices through a systems approach to control and trap nutrient and manure runoff. Qualified producers will receive assistance for installing conservation practices such as crops, filter strips and terraces.
In Maine, two watersheds were selected to participate in this initiative: The Nickerson Lake Sub-watershed located in the Meduxnekeag River Watershed in southern Aroostook County and Alder Stream Sub-watershed located in the Sebasticook Lake Watershed in Penobscot County.
Maine NRCS Water Quality Initiative Webpage
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Other EQIP Program Information
2008 Farm Bill EQIP At-A-Glance (PDF)
2008 Farm Bill EQIP Fact Sheet (PDF)
Links to Other Useful Documents for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Maine Electronic Field Office Technical Guide
Contact:
Susan Arrants
(207)990-9100, Extension 3
E-mail: susan.arrants@me.usda.gov.
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