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Mitchell County EQIP

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality. This program is available to farmers and offers financial and technical assistance to install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land.

The following are Mitchell County Resource Concerns to be addressed by EQIP:

  • Soil Erosion – Sheet and rill, ephemeral and classic gully
  • Soil Condition – Organic Matter Depletion, Animal Waste Contamination (N, P, K)
  • Water Quality – Excessive Nutrients and Organics in Groundwater and Surface Water.
  • Air Quality – Objectionable Odors, Excessive Greenhouse Gas (CO2), Particulate matter (PM 2.5, PM 10)
  • Fish and Wildlife – Inadequate cover/shelter, Inadequate food, T & E Species
  • Domestic Animals – Inadequate quantities and quality of feed and forage, inadequate water
  • Plant Condition – Productivity, health and vigor; water quality and palatability

These resource concerns address the following National EQIP priorities:

  1. Reductions of non-point source pollution, such as nutrients, sediment, pesticides, or excess salinity in impaired watersheds consistent with Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) where available, as well as the reduction of groundwater contamination and the conservation of ground and surface water resources.
  2. Reduction of emissions, such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds, and ozone precursors and depleters that contribute to air quality impairment violations of National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
  3. Reduction in soil erosion and sedimentation from unacceptable high levels on agricultural land.

Burr Oak Creek is listed on the final FY2006 Section 303(d) list of impaired waters submitted to EPA for final approval due to a low biotic index that is affecting aquatic life, Turtle Creek both nutrients and sediment. Practices available are animal waste facilities, filter strips, streambank stabilization, grassed waterways, pasture management, wetlands at tile outlets, timber stand improvement, riparian forest buffer and spring developments.

The local work group did not want to target specific watersheds but still address both State and National priorities by including those impaired stream segments of the Cedar and Wapsipinicon Rivers.

The goal of the locally led group was to recommend a ranking system that rewarded and gave priority to those producers that help most to address the above resource concerns. A high priority also wanted to be given to applicants implementing waste management systems as well as applicants applying long-term no-till and strip-till practices. To avoid having the two compete, the local work group decided to split the EQIP allocation (25% Land Treatment and 75% Livestock Concerns).  Pasture management will also be given priority to manage erosion concerns. Wildlife habitat is important in Mitchell County and priority will be given to the development of wildlife habitat.

The ranking will be completed for the specific practices to be applied through the EQIP contract. Sign-up is continuous at the NRCS field office. The ranking of the applications will be done periodically as funding allocations become available, will be announced through the NRCS State Office, and will be publicized by all levels of NRCS. The NRCS may establish local, minimum ranking cut-off levels for funding selection.

The local work group also recommended a list of conservation practices that are the most cost-effective, longest duration, and help most to address these priority resource concerns in the District.

For more information on EQIP and other NRCS administrated programs contact the Mitchell County USDA Service Center located at 1529 Main Street, Osage, Iowa  50461. Phone (641) 732-5504. Fax (641) 732-5518.

The following files require Acrobat Reader.

EQIP Practice List - 2009
EQIP Application Ranking - 2009   

EQIP Practice List - 2008    For Archival Purposes Only
EQIP Application Ranking - 2008    For Archival Purposes Only
EQIP Nutrient Management Intensity Options - 2008    For Archival Purposes Only

 EQIP Practice List - 2007   For Archival Purposes Only
EQIP Application Ranking - 2007    For Archival Purposes Only
 EQIP Livestock Ranking - 2007    For Archival Purposes Only
EQIP Nutrient Management Intensity Options - 2007    For Archival Purposes Only

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