The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a federally administered program designed to help growers address natural resource concerns by providing financial and technical assistance. The program focuses on soil, water, air quality, plant health, and habitat for wildlife.
Note: If you want information about the EQIP-funded Conservation Planning Activities (CPA) and Design and Implementation Activities (DIA) Supporting Organic Transition and Soil Health, visit our Conservation Planning page.
INTRODUCTION
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is a voluntary conservation program designed to provide financial and technical assistance to growers who have environmental resource concerns on their land. This program offers cost-share assistance for implementing conservation practices that address resource concerns on agricultural lands.
NATURAL RESOURCE CONCERNS
The primary areas of concern are soil quality and erosion, water quality, plant and animal health and biodiversity, wildlife habitat, air quality, and energy conservation.
PRODUCER ELIGIBILITY
- Must control or own eligible land.
- Comply with adjusted gross income (AGI) limitation provisions.
- Comply with the highly erodible land (HEL) and wetland conservation requirements.
- Develop an NRCS EQIP conservation plan.
APPLICATION PROCESS
There are a few steps required for application to the EQIP cost-share program.
- Contact your local NRCS District Conservationist in North Carolina or South Carolina to identify the resource concerns at your operation. If you are eligible for assistance they can assist you in completing the application process.
- If you have not already registered your farm with the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), do so as soon as possible by:
- Completing the Member’s Information form (CCC901) and either:
- Additional required forms include:
- Average Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) Statement (CCC926) and either the Consent to Disclosure of Tax Information – Individual (CCC927) or the Consent to Disclosure of Tax Information – Legal Entity (CCC928), depending on your operation type.
DEADLINES
Eligible producers are encouraged to submit applications anytime throughout the year. However, NRCS State Offices announce prioritized funding periods throughout the year based on available funding, at which time they rank and fund eligible applications. Getting your conservation plan completed well before any announced application deadlines is wise. Sometimes, the USDA field offices cannot respond to late-arriving requests for planning assistance due to their workload and local priorities.
