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Virginia 2017 EQIP Documents & Procedures

Virginia 2017 EQIP Documents & Procedures
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Farm Bill Evaluation Periods for Fiscal Year 2017

Applications for financial assistance are accepted year-round. For FY17, Virginia NRCS has established one application deadline and two ranking periods:

Application Deadline: Applications received by close of business February 17th, 2017,

  1. Will be reviewed for program eligibility*, and, if eligible, (Applications from participants that are not eligible, as determined by NRCS, as of close of business on February 17, 2017 will not be screened or ranked until their eligibility has been verified by NRCS. For more information regarding eligibility for NRCS Financial Assistance programs, visit our Eligibility page.)
     
  2. Will be screened:
    • Low Priority: All FY17 applications from current or past EQIP participants that have had an EQIP contract terminated within the last five fiscal years, or have an active EQIP contract that was behind schedule as of the beginning of FY17, or have Active or Completed EQIP/CRP contract(s) that have not followed USDA required Operation and Maintenance, will be assigned a Low Priority and will not be ranked or considered for funding.
       
    • Medium / High Priority: All Cropland and Livestock applications will be Screened via Virginia's CROPLAND SCREENING WORKSHEET FY 2017 EQIP OR Virginia's LIVESTOCK SCREENING WORKSHEET FY 2017 EQIP.  Applications that receive a High Priority based on this screening will then be ranked, using the appropriate Ranking Tool, by close of business March 17th, 2017 . Applications that receive a Medium priority based on this screening will then be ranked, using the appropriate Ranking Tool, by close of business April 21st, 2017.
  3. Ranking Period 1: All Eligible applications, received by close of business February 17th, 2017, that receive a High Priority, if applicable*, will then be ranked, using the appropriate Ranking Tool, by close of business March 17th, 2017.

    *Fund Pools that do not use a Medium or High will be funded based on their ranking score, and the availability of funds.
     
  4. Ranking Period 2: All Eligible applications, received by close of business February 17th, 2017, that have received a Medium priority, if applicable, will be ranked by close of business April 21st, 2017.
     

When applying for EQIP, remember that your name, address, and social security number or Employer Identification Number (EIN) must match the information you have on file with the IRS and FSA, and the information provided on the Direct Deposit Form.  If you cannot recall your EIN and address used, call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-4933.  You should "Request confirmation of Employer Identification Number (EIN), IRS Letter 147C, EIN Previously Assigned.  The IRS can fax the letter to you, but you must remain on the line and have a separate open fax line to receive the fax.  The letter can be mailed. The requester will receive the IRS Letter 147C, in 7 to 10 business days.

Conservation Practices available and their respective Payment Rates are available in our FY17 EQIP Payment Schedule. Practice availability varies by the resource concerns listed below. Consult your NRCS Conservation Planner to learn more.

Applications are grouped by which Resource Concerns they seek to address.  Below are Virginia's Resource Concern Categories.  When you apply, your local NRCS representative will assist you in determining your resource concerns.

Virginia's Resource Concerns for FY17

(This page is under construction.  Check back often for updates).
(Documents require Acrobat Reader)

Locally Led

Virginia 12-Digit HUCS Containing TMDL Streams:Prioritized by Non-Point Source Pollution Risks from Agriculture (Used in the Local Questions)

  • Cropland: Water Quality Concerns - Assistance to improve soil quality and protect water quality with an emphasis on crop rotations, high residue crop production and erosion control practices.
    • Cropland Ranking Summary (This Ranking Summary is the same for the entire state)

      Available Practices in the Cropland Fund Pool
      Practice Code Practice Name Practice Code Practice Name
      327 Conservation Cover 484 Mulching
      332 Contour Buffer Strips 590 Nutrient Management
      330 Contour Farming 533 Pumping Plant
      334 Controlled Traffic Farming 329 Residue and Tillage Management, No-Till
      340 Cover Crop 345 Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced 
      342 Critical Area Planting 391 Riparian Forest Buffer
      605 Denitrifying Bioreactor 390 Riparian Herbaceous Cover
      362 Diversion 604 Saturated Buffer
      554 Drainage Water Management 350 Sediment Basin
      386 Field Border 580 Streambank and Shoreline Protection
      393 Filter Strip 585 Stripcropping
      512 Forage and Biomass Planting 587 Structure for Water Control
      410 Grade Stabilization Structure 606 Subsurface Drain
      412 Grassed Waterway 612 Tree/Shrub Establishment
      430 Irrigation Pipeline 490 Tree/Shrub Site Preparation
      441 Irrigation System, Microirrigation 620 Underground Outlet
      449 Irrigation Water Management 351 Well Decommissioning
      527 Karst Sinkhole Treatment 380 Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment
      468 Lined Waterway or Outlet    
  • Livestock: Assistance to establish riparian buffers; establish and implements grazing systems; and assistance to store, manage, and apply animal waste and other nutrients more effectively and efficiently while minimizing any associated environmental risks.
    • Livestock Ranking Summary (This Ranking Summary is the same for the entire state)
      Available Practices in the Livestock Fund Pool
      Practice Code Practice Name Practice Code Practice Name
      472 Access Control 521A Pond Sealing or Lining, Flexible Membrane
      560 Access Road 338 Prescribed Burning
      591 Amendments for Treatment of Ag Waste 528 Prescribed Grazing
      366 Anaerobic Digester 533 Pumping Plant
      316 Animal Mortality 391 Riparian Forest Buffer
      314 Brush Management 390 Riparian Herbaceous Cover
      317 Composting Facility 558 Roof Runoff Structure
      327 Conservation Cover 367 Roof and Covers
      342 Critical Area Planting 350 Sediment Basin
      362 Diversion 381 Silvopasture Establishment
      382 Fence 574 Spring Development
      393 Filter Strip 578 Stream Crossing
      394 Fire Break 580 Streambank and Shoreline Protection
      512 Forage and Biomass Planting 587 Structure for Water Control
      410 Grade Stabilization Structure 606 Subsurface Drain
      412 Grassed Waterway 575 Trails and Walkways
      561 Heavy Use Area Protection 612 Tree/Shrub Establishment
      422 Hedgerow Planting 490 Tree/Shrub Site Preparation
      315 Herbaceous Weed Control 620 Underground Outlet
      430 Irrigation Pipeline 360 Waste Facility Closure
      449 Irrigation Water Management 632 Waste Separation Facility
      527 Karst Sinkhole Treatment 313 Waste Storage Facility
      468 Lined Waterway or Outlet 634 Waste Transfer
      516 Livestock Pipeline 629 Waste Treatment
      484 Mulching 359 Waste Treatment Lagoon
      590 Nutrient Management 642 Water Well
      378 Pond 614 Watering Facility
      520 Pond Sealing or Lining, Compacted Soil 351 Well Decommissioning
      522 Poind Sealing or Lining, Concrete 380 Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment

       

Statewide Initiatives

  • Aquaculture: Assistance in support of Aquaculture practices that are designed to minimize environmental waste and restore oyster habitat in association with bottom aquaculture production. Core Practice: • 400 Bivalve Aquaculture Gear and Biofouling Control
    • Aquaculture Ranking Summary

      Available Practices in the Aquaculture Fund Pool
       
      Code Practice   Code Practice
      400 Bivalve Aquaculture Gear and Biofouling   643 Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Species
  • Beginning Farmer: The primary focus of this funding pool is to assist beginning farmers and ranchers address resource concerns on their operations. Ten percent of all EQIP funds have been set aside to assist new farmers and/or historically underserved clients. Landowners certify they belong to one of these groups. Incentive payments up to 90% for installation of conservation practices are available for new and beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers. In addition, individuals may receive up to 30% in advance for purchasing materials or contracting. Visit the National Small and Limited, and Beginning Farmer & Rancher webpage to see if you qualify.
  • Conservation Activity Plans: Financial assistance for the creation of Conservation Activity Plans or CAPs. CAPS are created by Technical Service Provders and identify resource concerns and address a specific natural resource need. Typically, these plans are specific to certain kinds of land use such as transitioning to organic operations, grazing land or forest land
    • Conservation Activity Plan Ranking Summary

      Available Practices in the Conservation Activity Plan Fund Pool
       
      Practice Code Practice Name Practice Code Practice Name
      128

      Agricultural Energy Management Plan

      		 110 Grazing Management Plan
      102 Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan 114 Integrated Pest Management Plan
      138 Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition 118 Irrigation Water Management Plan
      130 Drainage Water Management Plan 104 Nutrient Management Plan
      108 Feed Management Plan 146 Pollinator Habitat Plan
      142 Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan 112 Prescribed Burning Plan
      106 Forest Management Plan    
  • Forestry: Long Leaf & Short Leaf Pine - Hardwood Management
  • High Tunnel: Assistance to construct a high tunnel (a polyethylene-covered structure at least six feet high) which modifies the climate to create more favorable growing conditions for vegetable and other specialty crops grown in the natural soil beneath it. To be eligible, the land upon which the High Tunnel will be sited, MUST be producing or produced during the last growing season, agricultural crops which typically could be grown within a High Tunnel.

 

  • Socially Disadvantaged Participants: The primary focus of this funding pool is to assist socially disadvantaged producers address resource concerns on their operations. Ten percent of all EQIP funds have been set aside to assist new farmers and/or historically underserved clients. Landowners certify they belong to one of these groups. Incentive payments up to 90% for installation of conservation practices are available for new and beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers. In addition, individuals may receive up to 30% in advance for purchasing materials or contracting. Visit the National Small and Limited, and Beginning Farmer & Rancher webpage to see if you qualify.
  • Wildlife - Habitat Creation & Wildlife - Habitat Maintenance: The purpose of this fund pool is to assist participants in the development of wildlife habitat on private agricultural land or nonindustrial private forest land.
    • Wildlife Habitat Creation Ranking Summary
    • Wildlife Habitat Maintenance Ranking Summary

      Available Practices in the Wildlife Fund Pools
       
      Practice Code Practice Name Practice Code Practice Name
      472 Access Control 315 Herbaceous Weed Control
      396 Aquatic Organism Passage 338 Prescribed Burning
      314 Brush Management 528 Prescribed Grazing
      327 Conservation Cover 643 Restoration and Management
      340 Cover Crop 391 Riparian Forest Buffer
      342 Critical Area Planting 390 Riparian Herbaceous Cover
      356 Dike 395 Stream Habitat Improvement and Management
      394 Firebreak 612 Tree/Shrub Establishment
      512 Forage and Biomass Planting 490 Tree/Shrub Site Preparation
      666 Forest Stand Improvement 645 Upland Wildlife Habitat Management
      422 Hedgerow Planting 658 Wetland Creation
      315 Herbaceous Weed Control 659 Wetland Enhancement
      338 Prescribed Burning 657 Wetland Restoration
      528 Prescribed Grazing 644 Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management

       

National Initiatives

  • Long Leaf Pine Initiative: Assistance to establish or re-establish Long Leaf Pine in its historical range.
    • Long Leaf Pine Ranking Summary

      Available Practices in the Long Leaf Pine Fund Pool
       
      Code Practice   Code Practice
      472 Access Control   315 Herbaceous Weed Control
      314 Brush Management   338 Prescribed Burning
      327 Conservation Cover   112 Prescribed Burning Plan
      342 Critical Area Planting   643 Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitat
      324 Deep Tillage   654 Road/Trail/Landing Closure and Treatment
      647 Early Successional Habitat Development/M   381 Silvopasture Establishment
      382 Fence   612 Tree/Shrub Establishment
      394 Firebreak   490 Tree/Shrub Site Preparation
      106 Forest Management Plan   645 Upland Wildlife Habitat Management
      666 Forest Stand Improvement   644 Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management
  • National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI): Through the National Water Quality Initiative in 2015, the Natural Resources Conservation Service will work with farmers and ranchers in 174 small watersheds throughout the Nation to improve water quality where this is a critical concern.

    The NWQI Screening Criteria Worksheet be completed for each eligible producer applying for EQIP National Water Quality Initiative assistance. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis; however, an application period has been established for purposes of evaluation, ranking, and funding decisions. The goal of this screening tool is to ensure that conservation technical assistance and EQIP program benefits are managed efficiently to address priority conservation needs related to this national initiative.
    • NWQI - Smith Creek - Gap Creek Ranking Tool Summary
    • NWQI - Smith Creek - Mountain Run Ranking Tool Summary
    • NWQI - Smith Creek - War Branch Ranking Tool Summary

      Available Practices in the NWQI Fund Pools
       
      Code Practice Name   Code Practice Name
      472 Access Control      
      560 Access Road   528 Prescribed Grazing
      591 Amendments for Treatment of Ag Waste   528 Pumping Plant
      366 Anaerobic Digestor   329 Residue and Tillage Management, No-Till
      316 Animal Mortality Facility   345 Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Tillage
      314 Brush Management   643 Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitat
      317 Composting Facility   391 Riparian Forest Buffer
      327 Conservation Cover   390 Riparian Herbaceous Cover
      332 Contour Buffer Strips   558 Roof Runoff Structure
      330 Contour Farming   604 Saturated Buffer
      340 Cover Crop   350 Sediment Basin
      342 Critical Area Planting   381 Silvopasture Establishment
      605 Denitrifying Bioreactor   574 Spring Development
      356 Dike   578 Stream Crossing
      362 Diversion   395 Stream Habitat Improvement and Management
      554 Drainage Water Management   580 Streambank and Shoreline Protection
      647 Early Successional Habitat Development/Management   585 Stripcropping
      382 Fence   587 Structure for Water Control
      386 Field Border   606 Subsurface Drain
      393 Filter Strip   575 Trails and Walkways
      394 Firebreak   612 Tree/Shrub Establishment
      512 Forage and Biomass Planting   490 Tree/Shrub Site Preparation
      666 Forest Stand Improvement   620 Underground Outlet
      410 Grade Stabilization Structure   645 Upland Wildlife Habitat
      412 Grassed Waterway   360 Waste Facility Closure
      561 Heavy Use Area Protection   632 Waste Separation Facility
      422 Hedgerow Planting   313 Waste Storage Facility
      315 Herbaceous Weed Control   634 Waste Transfer
      430 Irrigation Pipeline   629 Waste Treatment
      441 Irrigation System, Microirrigation   359 Waste Treatment Lagoon
      449 Irrigation Water Management   642 Water Well
      527 Karst Sinkhole Treatment   614 Watering Facility
      468 Lined Waterway or Outlet   351 Well Decommissioning
      516 Livestock Pipeline   658 Wetland Creation
      484 Mulching   659 Wetland Enhancement
      590 Nutrient Management   657 Wetland Restoration
      378 Pond   644 Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management
      338 Prescribed Burning   380 Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment
  • Organic Initiative: Provides financial assistance to help implement conservation practices for organic producers and those transitioning to organic to address natural resource concerns. It also helps growers meet requirements related to National Organic Program (NOP) requirements and certain program payment limitations.
    • Organic Ranking Summary
    • Transitioning to Organic Ranking Summary
    • Organic Initiative Self-Certification Worksheet

      Available Practices in the Organic Fund Pool
       
      Code Practice Name   Code Practice Name
      472 Access Control   520 Pond Sealing or Lining, Compacted Soil
      560 Access Road   522 Pond Sealing or Lining, Concrete
      591 Amendments for Treatment of Ag Waste   521A Pond Sealing or Lining, Flexible Membrane
      366 Anaerobic Digester   338 Prescribed Burning
      316 Animal Mortality Facility   528 Prescribed Grazing
      314 Brush Management   533 Pumping Plant
      317 Composting Facility   329 Residue and Tillage Management, No-Till
      327 Conservation Cover   345 Residue and Tillage Management, Reduced Tillage
      138 Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition   391 Riparian Forest Buffer
      332 Contour Buffer Strips   390 Riparian Herbaceous Cover
      330 Contour Farming   558 Roof Runoff Structure
      334 Controlled Traffic Farming   367 Roofs and Covers
      340 Cover Crop   604 Saturated Buffer
      342 Critical Area Planting   350 Sediment Basin
      605 Denitrifying Bioreactor   381 Silvopasture Establishment
      362 Diversion   574 Spring Development
      554 Drainage Water Management   578 Stream Crossing
      382 Fence   580 Streambank and Shoreline Protection
      386 Field Border   585 Stripcropping
      393 Filter Strip   587 Structure for Water Control
      394 Firebreak   606 Subsurface Drain
      512 Forage and Biomass Planting   575 Trails and Walkways
      410 Grade Stabilization Structure   612 Tree/Shrub Establishment
      412 Grassed Waterway   490 Tree/Shrub Site Preparation
      561 Heavy Use Area Protection   620 Underground Outlet
      422 Hedgerow Planting   360 Waste Facility Closure
      315 Herbaceous Weed Control   632 Waste Separation Facility
      430 Irrigation Pipeline   313 Waste Storage Facility
      441 Irrigation System, Microirrigation   634 Waste Transfer
      449 Irrigation Water Management   629 Waste Treatment
      527 Karst Sinkhole Treatment   359 Waste Treatment Lagoon
      468 Lined Waterway or Outlet   642 Water Well
      516 Livestock Pipeline   614 Watering Facility
      484 Mulching   351 Well Decommissioning
      590 Nutrient Management   380 Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment
  • On-Farm Energy Initiative: Enables the producer to identify ways to conserve energy on the farm via the an agricultural energy management plan (AgEMP).  An AgEMP is a detailed documentation and inventory of the energy consuming activities and components of the current agricultural operation. The plan will document a typical prior year of on-farm energy consumption, and the strategy by which the producer will explore and prioritize their on-farm energy conservation concerns, objectives, and opportunities.
    • On-Farm Energy Conservation Activity Plan Ranking Summary

 

  • StrikeForce: USDA launched the StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity in 2010 to ensure underserved communities in rural America gain equal access to all USDA programs and services. Since that time, it has grown to encompass over 400 counties and Indian reservations in 20 states.

    NRCS in Virginia joined this effort in 2013, partnering with other USDA agencies and local nonprofit organizations to host outreach meetings to increase awareness of and enrollment in NRCS programs among producers who have not traditionally worked with NRCS.
  • Working Lands for Wildlife/Golden Winged Warbler: to assist private land owners create and maintain the habitat necessary to sustain breeding populations within and adjacent to their current range. It focuses on the creation, management and maintenance of early successional habitat in close association with forested landscapes. Conservation efforts in support of the golden-winged warbler benefit many other species that depend on similar habitat.
    • Eligible Golden Winged Warbler Focus Area
    • Golden Winged Warbler Ranking Summary

      Available Practices in the Golden Winged Warbler Fund Pool
      Practice Code Practice Name Practice Code Practice Name
      472 Access Control 315 Herbaceous Weed Control
      314 Brush Management 484 Mulching
      327 Conservation Cover 338 Prescribed Burning
      342 Critical Area Planting 528 Prescribed Grazing
      324 Deep Tillage 643 Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats
      647 Early Successional Habitat Development/Management 612 Tree/Shrub Establishment
      382 Fence 490 Tree/Shrub Site Preparation
      386 Field Border 645 Upland Wildlife Habitat Management
      394 Firebreak 644 Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management
      666 Forest Stand Management    

 

 

 






If you encounter any problems with the files provided on this page, please contact Ron Wood at (804) 287-1660.

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