More than $18.1 million in EQIP available to Iowa Farmers

November 2, 2004

The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently received $18.1 million for cost share and incentive payments to agricultural producers through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). An additional $169,000 was received for improving irrigation efficiency. EQIP funds will be available through the local NRCS field offices located in each Iowa county.

The majority ($11.6 million) will be distributed to the local offices to implement EQIP at the county level. These funds will be used to address one or more of the national resource concern priorities. Generally, the primary resource concerns addressed by EQIP include soil erosion, water quality and pasture land quality. These issues are addressed through a variety conservation practices and determined locally by NRCS.

According to State Conservationist Richard Van Klaveren, $6.5 million in EQIP funds will be available to treat resource concerns related to livestock feedlots. Iowa NRCS is holding this reserve of funds to specifically address issues faced by large confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) that require a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit. These funds will be used to provide 50 percent cost share for specific practices to control runoff from these feedlots. Some of these practices include diversion, pond sealing or lining, roof runoff structure, sediment basin, waster storage facility, waste storage lagoon and filter strip.

Ag producers may sign up for EQIP at local USDA Service Centers. The signup is continuous and applications are prioritized for funding at the local level.  Applications signed prior to Dec. 18 will be considered for 2005 EQIP funding. Interested producers should contact their local USDA-NRCS office for additional information on ranking criteria and local cut off dates.

Livestock producers who receive funding for animal waste manure systems must develop and implement a comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP).

“EQIP provides a great opportunity to improve Iowa's land, water and other resources,” says Van Klaveren. “Ag producers are encouraged to sign up for EQIP prior to Dec. 17 for the best chance for funding.”

Applications will be prioritized for funding 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.

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Contacts:

Richard Van Klaveren, State Conservationist, NRCS, 515-284-6655
Larry Beeler, EQIP Program Specialist, NRCS, 515-323-2235

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