More than $18 Million in EQIP Available to Iowa Farmers

The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently received $18.4 million for cost-share and incentive payments to agricultural producers through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP). These funds will be available through the local NRCS field offices located in each Iowa county.

The majority (75 percent) will be distributed to the local offices to implement EQIP at the county level. These funds, will be used to address soil quality resource concerns related to agricultural production. Generally, the primary resource concerns addressed are soil erosion, water quality and pasture land quality. These issues are address through a variety conservation practices and determined locally by NRCS.

According to State Conservationist Leroy Brown, the remaining EQIP funds (25 percent) will be used at the local level to fund special EQIP projects, treat resource concerns related to open feedlots and to supplement under funded applications.

Ag producers may sign up for EQIP at local USDA Service Centers. The signup is continuous, while applications are ranked and funded periodically at the local level. Each local NRCS office establishes a cut-off for application ranking and funding. Interested producers should contact their local USDA-NRCS office for additional information on ranking criteria and local cut off dates.

The majority of EQIP funds, 60 percent, will be used to fund contracts that address livestock related issues, while
40 percent will be used to treat other resource concerns. The revised program specifies that livestock producers who receive funding for animal waste manure systems must have a comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP).

“The increase in cost-share and available funds through EQIP provides a great opportunity to improve Iowa's land, water and other resources,” says Leroy Brown, state conservationist for the NRCS in Iowa. “The revised EQIP offers landowners additional flexibility to address their resource concerns and apply practices included in their conservation plans.”

Applications will be prioritized for funing using ranking criteria that includes resources treated and location of the contract. More information about local EQIP ranking criteria and resource concerns can be found by contacting the local NRCS field office or at http://www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/stateeqip.html.

EQIP was originally established under the 1996 Farm Bill. It provides technical and financial assistance to landowners to voluntarily address soil, water and related natural resource concerns on private lands. The USDA-NRCS provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain and improve our natural resources and environment.

Contacts:
Leroy Brown, State Conservationist, NRCS, 515-284-4260
Larry Beeler, EQIP Program Specialist, NRCS, 515-323-2235

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