The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) offers technical and financial assistance to agricultural and forest producers to implement conservation practices. Any producer engaged in livestock or crop production on eligible land may apply for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.  Eligible land includes cropland (as well as hayland), pastureland, private non-industrial forestland, and other farm lands as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.

A producer may sign up for EQIP at any time throughout the year.  However, the Natural Resources Conservation Service is conducting a second ranking and evaluation period for EQIP while work on the next federal Farm Bill continues.  Upon completion of an application at your local USDA Service Center, applicants must then complete a conservation plan with the assistance of NRCS staff conservationists.  Applications which meet all eligibility criteria and are accompanied by a completed conservation plan by February 8, 2008 will be considered for funding in this ranking and evaluation period.

Agricultural and forest producers can apply for cost-sharing for many types of conservation practices.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program is a voluntary conservation program from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. It supports production agriculture and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, agricultural producers may receive financial and technical help with structural and management conservation practices on agricultural land.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program provides financial assistance in the form of a fixed payment rate for each eligible practice and activity under contract.  The payment rate will be the compensation for the program participant.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program Final Rule