Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) works primarily in locally identified priority areas where there are significant natural resource concerns, such as soil erosion, water quality and quantity, wildlife habitat, wetlands, and forest and grazing lands. Priority is given to areas where State or local governments offer financial, technical, or educational assistance, and to areas where agricultural improvements will help meet water quality objectives. Activities must be carried out according to a conservation plan. Priority area proposals are submitted to the NRCS State Conservationist, who selects those areas within the State based on recommendations from the State Technical Committee. EQIP is one of several Federal, State, and local conservation programs that farmers and ranchers can use to solve their natural resource concerns. EQIP offers financial, educational, and technical help to install or implement structural, vegetative, and management practices called for in 5 to 10 year contracts. These practices--which include manure management systems, pest management, and erosion control--help improve and maintain the health of natural resources. Cost sharing may pay up to 75% of the costs of certain conservation practices. Nationally, half of the funding for EQIP is targeted to livestock-related natural resource concerns and the remainder to other significant conservation priorities. Contract applications are provided though the Natural Resources Conservation Service at (262) 878-1243.