16 Cherokee Co EQIP
Cherokee County 2016 EQIP Program
Executive Summary
The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service in Cherokee County, Alabama, will hold a sign-up for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for the 2016 Fiscal Year. This signup will be held on a continuous basis. Any eligible landuser who has a resource concern or problem on pastureland, hayland, forestland, cropland, or irrigation water efficiency concerns may apply for assistance through this program.
Applications may be made at:
USDA-NRCS Office
Cherokee County USDA Service Center
1460 West Main Street, Suite J2
Centre, Alabama 35960
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Phone: 256-927-8732, Extension 3
Contact: District Conservationist
The USDA work group has prioritized the following resource concerns in Cherokee County:
- Grazing Lands
- Forestry Health and Wildlife
- Irrigation Water Management (Efficiency Only)
- Water Quality/Animal Waste
- Erosion/Soil Quality
The highest ranking application in each resource concern area will be funded first, then the second application in each resource concern area until this process depletes the allocated funds for the county.
All applications will be ranked using an environmental benefits worksheet. Approvals will be given to those applications that will provide the greatest environmental benefits, i.e. those receiving the most environmental points in each of the above categories. Contracts will be developed for approved applications in order of descending environmental points in each resource concern area, until all funds are obligated.
Applications will be batched and ranked according to NRCS State Office Program Schedule. The first batching period for ranking and prioritizing applications will be October 16, 2015. Any application filed after that date will be considered in the next pool for funding, if additional funds become available.
Limitations and Restrictions:
- $11,512/$13,815HU on cover crops
- $7,863/$9,436HU on pasture planting
- $9,273/$11,128 HU on loblolly tree planting
- $12,814/$15,377HU on longleaf planting
- $5,840/$7,008 HU on site preparation for forestry practices
- $1,680/$2,016HU on prescribed burning
- $12,283/$15,706HU on Waste Storage Facility with Roof and Cover
Cherokee County will use the Alabama NRCS State Approved EQIP Practice and Payment Schedule.
Limited Resource Farmers, New and Beginning Farmers, Veterans and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers may be funded at an increased program payment rate.
