Environmental Quality Incentives Program - MO

Fiscal Year 2024 Missouri Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Opportunities

EQIP

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

FY24 Batching Dates:
Active: 

• Livestock Water Development - May 3, 2024

• Native Forage Initiative - May 31, 2024

Past: October 3, 2023; March 29, 2024
 

Missouri’s Priority Resource Concerns for FY24:

• Sheet and Rill Erosion
• Classic Gully Erosion
• Plant Productivity and Health
• Terrestrial Habitat for Wildlife and Invertebrates
• Inadequate Livestock Shelter

EQIP provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers who are engaged in livestock, agricultural or forest production on eligible land that has a natural resource concern.  Applicants under EQIP compete for funding against other applicants on similar land uses.  Land use funding pools covered under EQIP funding include, Cropland, Pasture/Hayland, Wildlife, Forestland, and Animal Feeding/Waste.  Funding opportunities are also available for applications that focus on climate smart agriculture and forestry conservation practices, or have been identified as focus areas such as MRBI and NWQI.

EQIP provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural and/or forest producers to address natural resource concerns including enhancing water and air quality, conserving ground and surface water, reducing soil erosion and sedimentation, or enhancing wildlife habitat.

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) includes provisions that address the unique circumstances and concerns of socially disadvantaged, beginning, limited resource, and veteran farmers and ranchers (“historically underserved producers”).  USDA recognizes the need to be inclusive of all people and ensure equitable access to services. Special provisions are available for producers who meet the definition for historically underserved producers.  Increased financial assistance for conservation practices, dedicated conservation funding, and access to advance payments for conservation practice implementation are offered to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners that fit into any of the following historically underserved groups:

• Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher
• Beginning Farmer or Rancher
• Socially Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher
• Veteran Farmer or Rancher

For more information on Historically Underserved producers click here.

ACT NOW Initiatives

Application Deadline: March 29, 2024

ACT NOW allows NRCS to immediately approve and obligate a ranked application in a designated ranking pool when an eligible application meets or exceeds a State-established minimum ranking score without waiting for all applications to be ranked and pre-approved in that ranking pool.

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding opportunities — Threshold Ranking Score

• Climate-Smart Agriculture Socially Disadvantaged — 20
• Nutrient Management Initiative — 5
• Nutrient Management Initiative Beginning Farmer — 5
• Native Forage Initiative — 50
• Soil Health Cropland — 60
• Soil Health Cropland Beginning Farmer— 35

EQIP Classic funding opportunities — Threshold Ranking Score

• Organic — 20
• Northern Bobwhite (Working Lands for Wildlife) — 20
• Conservation Activities (Conservation Planning Activities, Design and Implementation Activities, Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activities) — 20
• St. Louis Urban Hub — 30
• Native Forage Initiative — 50

Native Forage Initiative

Application Deadline: May 31, 2024

Minimum ranking threshold score: 50

NRCS in Missouri is now accepting applications for accelerated Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) ACT NOW funding to help grazing operations diversify their operations and build climate resiliency through the Native Forage Initiative.

Through this unique opportunity, producers and landowners can receive technical and financial assistance for the establishment of native forages by either renovating existing non-native forage for haying or grazing or converting cropland to native forage for haying or grazing. Native grasses can increase daily weight gain during the summer slump, improve conception rates and are resilient to drought.

Livestock Water Development

Application Deadline: May 3, 2024

Minimum ranking threshold score: 50

This initiative will concentrate on key counties impacted by several years of severe drought. Livestock must be present on the farm, and the operation must lack access to a water source able to provide adequate water quantity and quality on the property.

Projects can include the development of a primary water source and must include the development of a single water delivery point. See the fact sheet below for more information.

Organic Transition Initiative

Application Deadline: March 1, 2024

NRCS in Missouri is accepting applications through March 1, 2024, for FY2024 funding. Applications received after this date will be considered for the next available funding.

Funding for OTI supports producers transitioning to organic certification through financial and technical assistance associated with applicable conservation practices.

The initiative will help build new and better markets and income streams, strengthen local and regional food systems and increase affordable food supply for more Americans, while promoting climate-smart agriculture and ensuring equity for all producers.

Organic Transition Initiative overview

EQIP Conservation Incentives Contracts (EQIP-CIC)

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

FY24 Batching Dates:
October 3, 2023
Future date(s) to be announced

The 2018 Farm Bill introduced EQIP incentive contracts to expand resource benefits for producers for the implementation, adoption, management, and maintenance of incentive practices that effectively address at least one eligible resource concern with a State-identified high priority area (HPA). EQIP-CIC can be a stepping-stone between the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). EQIP-CIC offers a unique opportunity for a 5-year contract with an annual payment, without enrolling the entire operation into the program. The flexibility can be a gateway to future participation in CSP enrollment and achievement of a higher level of conservation stewardship for their entire operation.

The conservation goals and funding priorities of the EQIP-CIC High Priority Area (HPA) ranking pools are to focus on providing resource protection across the State of Missouri.

EQIP-CIC High Priority Areas (HPA)

HPA 1- Native Grassland Restoration 

The Native Grassland Restoration HPA will concentrate on native grassland management for both grazing resource concerns and wildlife habitat. The focus area covers the entire state of Missouri.

• Land Use(s):
  • Pasture
  • Associated Agricultural Land (AAL)
  • Cropland
• Priority Resource Concern(s):
  • Terrestrial Habitat
  • Livestock Production Limitation

HPA 2- Soil Health Management System 

The Soil Health Management System HPA focuses on improving soil health by applying a suite of conservation practices on agricultural lands. The focus area covers the entire state of Missouri.

• Land Use(s):
  • Cropland
  • Pasture
• Priority Resource Concern(s):
  • Soil Quality Limitations

HPA 3- Source Water Protection for Water Quality and Quantity

The Source Water Protection for Water Quality and Quantity HPA focuses on improving drinking water quality and quantity by applying conservation on agricultural lands within targeted watersheds. The focus area corresponds with the Missouri Source Water Protection Priority Watersheds 

• Land Use(s):
  • Cropland
  • Pasture
• Priority Resource Concern(s):
  • Field sediment, nutrient & pathogen loss
  • Soil quality limitations
  • Source Water Depletion

How To Get Started

The first step is to contact your local NRCS office. An NRCS conservation planner will schedule a visit to your property. They will walk the land with you to discuss your goals and review any resource concerns. Following the site visit, the conservation planner will develop a conservation plan that includes a variety of conservation practices or activities to address the resource concerns and management goals discussed.

Use the Service Center locator below to get started.

Success Stories