More Information about EQIP

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It supports production agriculture and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through EQIP, producers may receive financial and technical assistance with structural and management conservation practices on agricultural land.

Missouri’s EQIP program is developed using locally led conservation through Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the Missouri State Technical Committee. The Missouri State Technical Committee is composed of individuals who represent a variety of natural resource sciences and occupations including agricultural producers, agribusiness, nonprofit organizations, state and federal agencies. National priorities and national measures are an important consideration in EQIP program development. 

As required by the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (2002 Farm Bill), 60 percent of EQIP funds will be targeted to financial assistance for livestock related conservation practices.  Contracts for waste storage will require the development and use of a comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP).  EQIP offers which include certain practices to address animal waste in an environmentally beneficial manner compete for Missouri EQIP funds on a statewide basis.  These practices are:  Anaerobic Digester (ambient or controlled), Animal Mortality Facility, Closure of Waste Impoundment, Composting Facility, Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan, Manure Transfer, Waste Facility Cover, Waste Storage Facility or Waste Treatment Lagoon.

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible to apply for EQIP, the applicant must be an eligible producer. Generally, any person or entity engaged in livestock or crop production on eligible land may apply for EQIP. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pasture and other farm or ranch lands, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. Eligible land must have a resource concern identified by a certified conservation planner. Activities are carried out according to an EQIP plan of operations developed with the producer that identifies the appropriate conservation practice or practices to address the identified resource concerns.  All practices are subject to NRCS technical standards.

EQIP payment for specific conservation practices is contingent on the producer not starting the practice prior to having an approved EQIP contract signed by the appropriate Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) representative. Any practices started before the CCC representative signature is not eligible for financial assistance. 

Ranking EQIP Applications

Each application will be evaluated and then ranked, using a Web-based software program that manages NRCS conservation program applications.  The following factors will be used to evaluate each application, with a final application score determined in the Application Ranking Summary:

·         National Issues – Each applicant will answer Yes/No questions to determine if the application will address National Issues.

·          State Issues – Each applicant will answer Yes/No questions to determine if the application will address State Issues.

·          Local Issues – Each applicant will answer Yes/No questions to determine if the application will address Local Issues.

·          Efficiency – Each application will be evaluated based on the conservation effects of the conservation practices that are planned in their application.

Conservation Practice Standard Information

The conservation practice standards are located in the Missouri Field Office Technical Guide. 

·          To view the data, first click on your county on the map of Missouri

·          For conservation practice standards, select "Section IV", then "B. Conservation Practices", and then the specific conservation practice from the list.

A certified conservation planner will assist you to develop a conservation plan addressing the resource concerns on your farm. They will also assist you to complete all required information for your application. Submitted applications are ranked, with the highest priority given to those applications with the highest score.

Developing an EQIP Contract

EQIP offers contracts with a minimum term that ends one year after the implementation of the last scheduled practice and a maximum term of ten years.  These contracts provide financial assistance for implementing eligible conservation practices.  See the EQIP Program Policies for complete practice and financial assistance information.

Applicants selected for contract development must have a conservation plan for the acreage offered into EQIP.  The conservation plan will outline the practices to be included in the contract, and establish a preliminary schedule for implementing those conservation practices. All planned conservation practices must meet NRCS technical standards.  Producers may elect to use an approved independent third-party provider for technical assistance, if available.  Information about third-party technical assistance is available at USDA TechReg.

At least one EQIP practice must be started within 12 months of contract approval by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) representative. Once begun, the producer is expected to make continuous progress toward contract implementation. Failure to commence a practice within 12 months of contract approval will result in contract termination unless circumstances beyond the producer’s control prevented the start of the practice

Missouri EQIP Contact Information

Missouri EQIP Archives

National EQIP Information

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