Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) - Kansas

Woody plant encroachment puts pressure on working rangelands by decreasing livestock production and increasing wildfire risk as well as harming grassland biodiversity and increasing threat to animal species living in this biome. 

The intent of Advanced Soil Health Livestock Integration (ASHLI) is to assist innovative producers in achieving the “fifth principle” of soil health – livestock integration. This initiative will provide technical and financial assistance to install a watering source on cropland where livestock will be used to glean cover crops. Participants should be utilizing basic soil health principles by utilizing a diverse crop rotation, No-Till farming, and cover crops in their current operation, and intend on keeping 75-80% cover on the soil. This is a statewide initiative and an ACT NOW funding opportunity with a ranking threshold score needing to be 70 or higher to be considered for funding.

The monarch butterfly is one of the most iconic butterflies in North America and is known in part for its annual multi-generational migration from overwintering sites in central Mexico and coastal California to as far north as Canada. Multiple critical population stressors including the loss and degradation of habitat across the species' range have led to a significant decrease in the number of monarchs in the U.S. over the past few decades. NRCS is working with America's farmers, ranchers, and forest managers on voluntary conservation efforts to combat the decline of monarchs on private lands by establishing new habitat and managing existing habitat for monarchs and pollinators. This is a statewide initiative. 

The northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) is often referred to as an “edge” species, seeking habitat where crop fields intersect with woodlands, pastures and old fields. Historically, land use favored bobwhite, but changes in land use and how lands are managed have caused the bird’s numbers to dip by more than 80 percent over the last 60 years. To help reverse bobwhite declines, NRCS is working with private landowners in 14 states to manage for high-quality early successional habitat. See the map below for areas in Kansas that are eligible for the NoBo Initiative. The minimum ranking threshold score will be 20 points.

In Fiscal Year 2023, NRCS has established numerous payment scenarios for ‘small scale’ agriculture operations. Instead of the large scale, conventional commodity crops that NRCS traditionally provide assistance, this funding pool is specifically set aside for farms in an urban setting and/or those growing non-traditional crops, including fruits & vegetables. This is a statewide initiative. The minimum ranking threshold score is 5 points.

Managing water resources in the American West can be challenging. Drought, aging infrastructure, and environmental requirements can strain existing resources. Through NRCS’s EQIP WaterSMART Initiative (WSI), we collaborate with the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to coordinate investments in priority areas for improving our cumulative impact in water conservation and drought resilience. The priority areas in Kansas are the Kirwin and Boswick irrigation districts. 

Now in its eleventh year, the National Water Quality Initiative is a partnership among NRCS, state water quality agencies and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to identify and address impaired water bodies through voluntary conservation. NRCS provides targeted funding for financial and technical assistance in small watersheds most in need and where farmers can use conservation practices to make a difference. Conservation systems include practices that promote soil health, reduce erosion and lessen nutrient runoff, such as filter strips, cover crops, reduced tillage and manure management. These practices not only benefit natural resources but enhance agricultural productivity and profitability by improving soil health and optimizing the use of agricultural inputs. State water quality agencies and other partners contribute additional resources for watershed planning, implementation and outreach. They also provide resources for monitoring efforts that help track water quality improvements over time. The minimum ranking threshold score will be 70 points.

Best known for their dramatic courtship display, the bird depends on prairie and grassland ecosystems that have evolved under the interaction of fire and large herbivore grazing over the years. Primarily due to large-scale loss of habitat and fragmentation of habitat, their range distribution has been reduced by roughly 85 percent. About 95 percent of the lesser prairie chicken’s habitat is privately owned, making the land management decisions of producers pivotal to the bird’s success. Stewardship-minded producers are helping the at-risk bird and many other wildlife species by voluntarily improving the health of prairie and grassland ecosystems. The minimum ranking threshold score will be 5 points.

NRCS can help organic producers improve their operations or help producers transition to organic using a conservation plan tailored to their needs. Producers who are certified organic through the National Organic Program (NOP), are exempt from NOP, or are transition to organic, are eligible for this fund pool. Participants who are not certified or exempt from certification, agree to develop and work towards implementing an Organic System Plan to meet National Organic Program organic certification through USDA. This is a statewide initiative. The minimum ranking threshold score is 5 points.

IRA funding is to provide technical and financial assistance to operations that will address Soil Health and Grassland Health within the Environmental Quality Incentive Program.  Financial Assistance will be provided for Climate Smart Mitigation Practices with associated practices that help facilitate the treatment of the targeted resource concerns for Soil and Grassland Health. 

The minimum ranking threshold score will be 5 points.

The minimum ranking threshold score will be 20 points.