The Environmental Quality Incentive Program EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers in order to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, reduced soil erosion and sedimentation or improved or created wildlife habitat.

Benefits of program

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 and Tribes are eligible to apply for EQIP. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, non-industrial private forestíand and other farm or ranch lands.

How to apply

Visit your local USDA Service Center at 102 Metker Trail, Stanford, KY to apply or visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/getstarted. NRCS will help eligible producers develop an EQIP plan of operations, which will become the basis of the EQIP applications will be ranked based on a number of factors, including the environmental benefits and cost effectiveness of the proposal.