EQIP Applications

August 01, 2007

by Gerald Gray, District Conservationist

The Natural Resources Conservation Service works with several cost-share and incentive programs designed to assist producers with installation and adoption of conservation practices. Cost-share funds are available for practices that were not eligible to be cost-shared on in past years.

For example, cost-share assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) has been made available for brush management in grasslands. In past years, obtaining cost-share funding for ponds has proven extremely difficult. Today, ponds or water supplies can typically be funded through the EQIP program.

The EQIP program can also provide funds for other rangeland improvement practices such as: prescribed burning, cross fencing rangelands, noxious weed control, brush management, prescribed grazing, etc.

Virtually all types of structural practices needed to protect cropland fields are also available through the EQIP program. This is not to mention several cropland incentive practices that are available to producers. Cropland incentive practices include payments for producers to adopt No-Till farming practices, properly apply nutrients and pesticides or herbicides.

There is even cost-share assistance for producers to install more efficient irrigation equipment. This typically consists of producers changing from a flood irrigation system to a more efficient center pivot or subsurface drip system.

The point is, there are numerous cost-share assistance and incentive payment opportunities available to local producers. But even though opportunities are greater than ever, producer interest or participation in these programs seems to be declining.

I typically keep a list of local producers who are interested in various programs. Today, the list of interested producers is very short. I would like to encourage all landowners or operators that are interested in any conservation practice to call or stop by the Natural Resources Conservation Service office. Our staff will be glad to explain the various opportunities and programs.