The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program that helps agricultural producers in a manner that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through EQIP, agricultural producers receive financial and technical assistance to implement structural and management conservation practices that optimize environmental benefits on working agricultural land.
Accepting Applications
EQIP applications are accepted on a continuous basis, however, NRCS establishes application "cut-off" or submission deadline dates for evaluation, ranking and approval of eligible applications. EQIP is open to all eligible agricultural producers and submitted applications may be considered or evaluated in multiple funding pool opportunities.
EQIP and RCPP
The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) promotes coordination between NRCS and partners to deliver conservation assistance to producers and landowners. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to landowners through our programs, such as conservation programs, that also support RCPP approved partner projects. Learn More about RCPP and RCPP projects on our RCPP website.
Benefits
Eligible program participants receive financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices, or activities like conservation planning, that address natural resource concerns on their land. Payments are made to participants after conservation practices and activities identified in an EQIP plan of operations are implemented. Contracts can last up to ten years in duration.
Eligibility
Agricultural producers and owners of non-industrial private forestland are eligible to apply for EQIP. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, non-industrial private forestland and other farm or ranch lands.
Socially disadvantaged, beginning and limited resource farmers, and veterans are eligible for an increased payment rate and may receive advance payment of up to 50 percent to purchase materials and services needed to implement conservation practices included in their EQIP contract.
Applicants must:
Be engaged in agriculture or forestry and have a farm number and tract established with the Farm Service Agency
Comply with adjusted gross income limitation (AGI) provisions
Control or own eligible land
Be in compliance with the highly erodible land and wetland conservation requirements
Develop an NRCS EQIP plan of operations
Additional restrictions and program requirements may apply.
How to Apply / Accepting Applications
EQIP applications are accepted on a continuous basis, however, NRCS establishes application "cut-off" or submission deadline dates for evaluation, ranking and approval of eligible applications. EQIP is open to all eligible agricultural producers and submitted applications may be considered or evaluated in multiple funding pool opportunities.
NRCS will help eligible producers develop an EQIP plan of operations, which will become the basis of the EQIP contract.
EQIP applications will be ranked based on a number of factors, including the environmental benefits and cost effectiveness of the proposal.
Decision Making Process for EQIP
Input from Outside Groups, Agencies, and Citizens: The list of eligible practices in North Carolina, payment rates and limits, eligible resource concerns, and state scoring criteria are developed based on input and recommendations from Landowners, Partners, and State Technical Committee (STC). The STC is made up of representatives from various agribusinesses, producer groups, conservation organizations, and federal, state, and tribal government agency representatives.
Participant Responsibilities
Applicants are responsible for completing and filing all application and eligibility paperwork as required. If funded, participants are required to sign a contract and agree to implement the planned conservation practices to NRCS standards and specifications as scheduled. Starting a practice prior to written contract approval will result in the ineligibility of that practice for EQIP assistance
Socially Disadvantaged, Beginning, and Limited Resource Farmers/Ranchers, Military Veteran Farmers
The 2014 Farm Bill continues to address the unique circumstances and concerns of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, as well as beginning and limited resource farmers and ranchers and Veteran Farmers. It provides for voluntary participation, offers incentives, and focuses on equity in accessing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs and services. Enhancements include increased payment rates and advance payments of up to 50 percent to purchase materials and services needed to implement conservation practices included in their EQIP contract.
North Carolina is committed to reaching out to Historically Underserved individuals and groups. Historically Underserved participants may also receive higher payment rates in addition to being considered in high priority funding pools. See the Small & Limited and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers page for the NRCS definition of the Historically Underserved.
National and State Priorities
The following national priorities, consistent with statutory resources concerns that include soil, water, wildlife, air quality, and related natural resource concerns, may be used in EQIP implementation:
Reductions of nonpoint source pollution, such as nutrients, sediment, pesticides, or excess salinity in impaired watersheds consistent with total maximum daily loads (TMDL) where available; the reduction of surface and groundwater contamination; and the reduction of contamination from agricultural sources, such as animal feeding operations,
Conservation of ground and surface water resources,
Reduction in soil erosion and sedimentation from unacceptable levels on agricultural land,
Promotion of at-risk species habitat conservation including development and improvement of wildlife habitat,
Energy conservation to help save fuel, improve efficiency of water use, maintain production, and protect soil and water resources by more efficiently using fertilizers and pesticides.
North Carolina 2018 EQIP Documents and Procedures
Sign-Up Period for Available Funds
Date
Comments
1st Cut-Off Period for Consideration of Available Funds
November 17, 2017
Applicants signing an application by this date and with all required conservation planning prepared may be evaluated in this period.
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.
State Resource Conservation Priorities and Principles
Resource Concern
Landuse
Principle Practices
Water Quality Degradation - Pathogens and Chemicals
Planting, Grassed Waterway, Long Term No-Till, Mulching, Residue Management, No-Till/Strip Till, Residue Management Seasonal, Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition Plan
Livestock Production Limitation - Inadequate feed and forage
Pasture
Brush Management, Forage and Biomass Planting, Forage Harvest Management, Integrated Pest Management, Nutrient Management, Prescribed Grazing, Grazing Management Plan
Water Quality Degradation - Pathogens and Chemicals
Pasture
Access Control, Animal Trails and Walkways, Controlled Livestock Lounging Area, Filter Strip, Heavy Use Area Protection, Prescribed Grazing, Riparian Forest Buffer, Riparian Herbaceous Cover, Stream Crossing
Water Quality Degradation - Nutrients
Cropland
Filter Strip, Nutrient Management, Riparian Forest Buffer, Riparian Herbaceous Cover, Sediment Basin, Stream bank and Shoreline Protection, Structure for Water Control, Tree/Shrub Establishment, Waste Utilization, CNMP
Inadequate Habitat for Wildlife - Habitat Degradation
Cropland
Riparian Forest Buffer, Riparian Herbaceous Cover, Shallow Water Development and Management, Tree/Shrub Establishment, Upland Wildlife Habitat Management, Wetland Restoration, Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management,
Inadequate Habitat for Wildlife - Habitat Degradation
Forest
Management of Rare and Declining Habitats, Stream Habitat Improvement and Management, Upland Wildlife Habitat Management, Wetland Restoration
Soil Erosion - Stream Bank Erosion
Pasture
Access Control, Channel Bank Vegetation, Critical Area Planting, Fence, Riparian Forest Buffer, Riparian Herbaceous Cover, Stream bank and Shoreline Protection
Conservation Cover, Conservation Crop Rotation, Cover Crop, Long Term No-Till, Mulching, Nutrient Management, Residue Management, No-Till/Strip Till, Residue Management, Seasonal
Inefficient Water - Inefficient Use of Irrigation Water
Cropland
Cover Crop, Irrigation Land Leveling, Irrigation System, Microirrigation, Irrigation System, Sprinkler, Structure for Water Control, Irrigation Water Management Plan Criteria
Degraded Plant Condition - Excessive plant pest pressure
Cropland
Conservation Crop Rotation, Cover Crop, Integrated Pest Management, IPM-Herbicide Resistant Weeds Plan
Inefficient Water - Inefficient Use of Irrigation Water
Headquarters
Irrigation System, Sprinkler, Irrigation Water Management, Pipeline
Air Quality Impacts - Emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs)
Headquarters
Anaerobic Digester, Closure of Waste Impoundment, Waste Facility Cover, Waste Management System
Degraded Plant Condition - Undesirable plant productivity and health
Forest
Forest Stand Improvement, Tree/Shrub Establishment, Forest Management Plan Criteria
Resource concerns associated with confined animal production systems such as swine, poultry, dairy and beef stocker operations. Resource concerns associated with the headquarters would apply. Resource concerns such as soil erosion, water quality are typical issues ranked in this pool.
Resources concerns associated with the western stream initiative include: critical area planting, fencing, livestock pipeline, wells and pumps, spring development, stream crossing, watering facilities, stream bank and shoreline protection, channel bed stabilization, stream habitat improvement, and tree planting.
Resource concerns associated with confined animal production systems such as swine, poultry, dairy and beef stocker operations. Resource concerns associated with the headquarters would apply. Resource concerns such as soil erosion, water quality are typical issues ranked in this pool.
Resource concerns for this pool are on the cropland land use where efficiency of the use of irrigation water is the goal. Irrigation history is required and an irrigation system design is required in order to contract improvements for micro irrigation or to a low pressure center pivot.
Ranking pools exist for Certified Organic and those interested in Transitioning to Organic Certification. Those selling product under an Exempt category may also apply. Natural resource concerns associated with organic farms may be ranked in this pool.
Ranking pools exist for Certified Organic and those interested in Transitioning to Organic Certification. Those selling product under an Exempt category may also apply. Natural resource concerns associated with organic farms may be ranked in this pool.
This is a National Initiative with the purpose of evaluating and identifying opportunities to save energy on the farm. Opportunities exist for energy audits as well as implementing improvements identified in an approved audit.
This ranking opportunity exist in Surry County. This initiatives purpose is to focus resources on relatively small watersheds with the idea to make remarkable differences in water quality over relatively short timeframes. All land uses are applicable and as well as cropland and animal operations with water quality issues that may be resolved with program funds.
This initiative is focused on lands that are not managed as cropland, pasture or forestland but with the objectives of the landowner are wildlife habitat related.
A Conservation Activity Plan or CAP can be developed for producers to identify conservation practices needed to 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
forest land
A CAP can also address a specific resource need, such nutrient management or an air quality concern. With a CAP plan, producers can then apply for financial assistance to implement the needed conservation practices.
