2009 EQIP Applications Due March 27

To be considered for the first round of funding selections, ag producers must apply for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) financial assistance at local USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices by March 27. EQIP is offered through a continuous signup, but NRCS periodically makes funding selections as program dollars allow.

EQIP offers financial assistance to install conservation practices. Statewide EQIP practices include, but are not limited to: grassed waterways, manure management facilities, terracing, pest management, ag drainage wellhead protection and pasture management. Other practices include tree planting, windbreaks, stripcropping, conservation tillage, organic crop production and wildlife habitat management.

Conservation plans must be developed for the entire area that will be included in the EQIP contract. EQIP was originally established under the 1996 Farm Bill and is reauthorized in the 2008 Farm Bill. It provides technical and financial assistance to landowners to voluntarily address soil, water and related natural resource concerns on private lands.  Congress included new provisions in the 2008 Farm Bill setting aside 5 percent of EQIP financial assistance dollars to assist beginning farmers and another 5 percent to assist social disadvantaged farmers.

For more information or to apply for an EQIP contract, contact your local USDA Service Center.

NRCS provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain and improve our natural resources and environment.

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Contact:

Dave Brommel, Iowa NRCS EQIP Coordinator, 515-284-4353

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