ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM (EQIP)

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

Applicants must:  

• Control or own eligible land
• Comply with adjusted gross income limitation (AGI)  provisions
• 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
Visit your local USDA Service Center to apply or print out a copy of the application to bring in here: Conservation Program Application Form

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.

For more information on EQIP, please speak to Tristan Elmore (NRCS District Conservationist).  He is in the Butler County office on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  You may call his direct Butler Co. office line at 270-288-3067 or email tristan.elmore@usda.gov