Pennsylvania EQIP Options
There are several options available through the EQIP Program.
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Animal Feeding Operations/Livestock & Poultry Operations - Provides funds to help producers implement practices to reduce environmental concerns associated with livestock and poultry operations. Includes manure storage and treatment, barnyard management, erosion and sediment control, nutrient management, feed management.
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Beginning Farmer - Producers who have operated a farm for less than ten years may qualify as Beginning Farmers in a fund pool option which only Beginning Farmers can be considered.
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Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP)/Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) - Financial assistance is available for developing a CNMP or Nutrient Management Plan. A CNMP is required for a producer to receive NRCS funding for an animal waste storage, treatment or handling practice.
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Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) - Conservation grants for organizations or individuals designed to stimulate the development and adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a likelihood of success and to be candidates for eventual technology transfer.
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Conservation Activity Plans, including Ag Energy Management, Comprehensive Air Quality Management, Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition, Drainage Water Management, Feed Management, Fish and Wildlife Habitat, Grazing Management, Integrated Pest Management, IPM/Herbicide Resistant Weed Management, Pollinator Habitat, Prescribed Burning Plan.
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Cropland - Funding for conservation practices on cropland such as waterways and diversions, as well as for management practices, such as nutrient management, pest management, no-till, and cover crops.
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Forest Management - Funding for implementing practices in a Forest Stewardship Plan or other approved Forest Management plan.
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Forest Management Plan - Funding for development of a Forest Management Plan.
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Golden-Winged Warbler – Funding to develop or improve habitat for golden-winged warbler, a migratory at-risk species for which Pennsylvania provides important habitat, especially young forest habitat that is critical for species survival and restoration.
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Grazing - Funding for establishing or improving grazing systems.
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Historically Underserved Producers - EQIP has special funding set-asides specifically for Beginning Farmers and for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers. Farmers in these groups plus those qualifying as Limited Resource Farmers also qualify for higher payment rates.
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National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI)- the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers financial and technical assistance to farmers and forest landowners interested in improving water quality and aquatic habitats in priority watersheds with impaired streams.
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On-Farm Energy Conservation - NRCS can provide funding for energy audits to assess the energy consumption from your cooling/heating system, milking/feeding equipment lighting, pumps and machines located in the production buildings of any agricultural operation. The information is analyzed to provide recommendations for cost-effective improvements that will reduce energy consumption. Farmers with approved energy audits can apply for funding to implement energy conserving practices.
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Organic Farming - for operations that are either Certified Organic or are Transitioning to Organic Production.
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Seasonal High Tunnels - Funding for installing high tunnels and associated supporting practices.
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Socially Disadvantaged Farmers - EQIP has special funding set-asides specifically for Producers in groups that have historically been subject to racial or ethnic prejudice. These groups are American Indians or Alaskan Natives, Asians, Blacks or African Americans, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics.
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Stream Corridor Management - Funding for practices to in and along stream corridors, including stream fencing; buffers; streambank erosion control, and fish habitat.