Land Use

Cropland, Grazing land, Forestland, Recreational land

Focus

Cost-share payments, Incentive payments

Resource Concern

Soil erosion, Water quality, Air quality, Wildlife habitat

Purpose

The environmental purpose is to improve water quality, conserve both ground and surface water, reduce soil erosion from cropland and forestland, and improve grazing land.

Landowner Benefits

Landowners receive technical assistance to reduce impacts to the environment. Up to 50% cost- share is given to cover the costs of implementing conservation measures. Incentive payments are given to encourage producers to adopt land management practices. The federal government may cover up to 90% of the cost of implementing conservation measures for those who are beginning farmers or limited resource farmers.

Description

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides technical assistance and cost-sharing support for recommended management practices that benefit the environment. This includes improving groundwater quality, air quality, soil erosion, and increasing wildlife.

Practices

Livestock manure management, grazing land management, soil erosion control, and water quality improvement practices are eligible for cost-share. Incentive payments may include the adoption of nutrient management, integrated pest management, irrigation water management, and wildlife habitat enhancement.

Costs to Landowner

Landowners will pay at least 50% of the management practices identified under Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP.

Eligibility

Persons engaged in livestock, agricultural, or forestry productions are eligible. Land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is not eligible.

Contract

The minimum contract is 2 years and maximum is 10 years.

Other Notes

Landowner Initiation

• Contact the local Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) where you own land.
• Ask about enrolling land into the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).