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NRCS-WA announces FY’23 EQIP-CIC extension

Publish Date
Ariel photo of the Palouse in Washington

Application Deadline: Jan. 13, 2023

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. (Dec. 5, 2023) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Washington has extended the application deadline for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program - Conservation Incentive Contracts (EQIP-CIC) to Jan. 13, 2023.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program-Conservation Incentives Contracts (EQIP-CIC) is a voluntary conservation program administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that offers farmers, ranchers, and nonindustrial private forest landowners financial and technical assistance to help plan and implement conservation practices and activities on working agricultural and forestry landscapes.

Conservation Incentive Contracts offer conservation activities above and beyond EQIP practices, which producers can implement to address resource concerns. Unlike the Conservation Stewardship Program, EQIP-CIC doesn't require the producer to enroll their entire operation to participate.

"EQIP-CIC offers producers a chance to 'try out' the enhancements before they make the jump into CSP," said Keith Griswold, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs.

For more information on the Environmental Quality Incentives Program-Conservation Incentives Contracts in Washington, click here.

Each applicant must establish themselves as a USDA customer and obtain all Farm Service Agency (FSA) eligibility requirements by January 27, 2023. Please note, Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) determination has been taking up to eight weeks to be processed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It is highly recommended that applicants submit their completed AGI form to FSA several weeks prior to the FSA eligibility determination deadline. Submitting your AGI form to FSA on the last day of the application period will result in your AGI eligibility not being met by the deadline for Fiscal Year 2023.

To learn how to get started with NRCS, click here, or visit your local USDA service center.