Maine 2011 State Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Signup and Application Information

Applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) are accepted at USDA Service Centers in Maine on a continuous basis.  The deadline for general EQIP applications to be considered for funding in 2011 was July 1, 2010.  The deadline for applications for Fiscal Year 2012 EQIP funding is July 1, 2011.  Applicants will be asked to work with NRCS conservation planners to assess resource needs and agree on practices to treat these needs. 

EQIP At-a-Glance and Other Program Information
Conservation Activity Plans
Irrigation Assistance
Organic Agriculture Initiative
Seasonal High Tunnels
General EQIP Program Description

Some of the documents below require Adobe Acrobat Reader

Conservation Activity Plans

Maine NRCS has a new opportunity through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help develop Conservation Activity Plans (CAPs).  A CAP is a specialized conservation plan prepared specifically for a conservation management unit.  CAPs are developed by a Technical Service Provider, who is certified by NRCS and placed on an approved list to provide technical assistance to farmers and others for specific conservation programs administered by USDA.  Applications are accepted on a continuous basis for all plans.  EQIP Conservation Activity Plan 2011 applications will be funded as requests are received and eligibility has been determined, as long as Fiscal Year 2011 funds are available, but no later than July 1, 2012.

Conservation Activity Plans
2011 Conservation Activity Plans Payment Schedule (.pdf)
 

Irrigation Assistance Available Through EQIP

Under the 2008 Farm Bill, priority will be given to water conservation or irrigation efficiency applications that will reduce water sue or where the producer agrees not to use any associated water savings to bring new land under irrigation production.

Maine NRCS will set aside at least $1,000,000 each year in financial assistance funding for eligible applicants across the state.  These dollars will be used to fund projects that address irrigation efficiency and assist producers to comply with Maine Department of Environmental Protection Chapter 587 In-Stream Flows and Lake and Pond Water Levels regulations. 

The signup for irrigation assistance is continuous.  Applications received by July 1, 2012 will be considered for funding in Fiscal Year 2012.

Irrigation Assistance Fact Sheet (.pdf)
2011 Irrigation Application and Evaluation Ranking Tool (.pdf)
2011 Irrigation Payment Schedule (.pdf)
 

Organic Agriculture Initiative

Maine has received funds for a new initiative to encourage more organic agriculture production.  Funding for the initiative is being made available through EQIP.  Successful applicants will receive funding to implement conservation practices that have been identified as needed to improve natural resource conditions.  Not only do these practices offer significant environmental benefits, but they are also important to growers. 

Under this organic initiative, three practices will receive a higher payment rate based on organic production costs and requirements.  The three practices are:  (1) Cover Crop, (2) Herbaceous Weed Control, and (3) Mulching.  Applications are being taken on a continuous basis; however, only applications received by May 20, 2011 will be considered for this year's funding for organic producers.

Additional conservation practices eligible to be contracted under the Organic Agriculture Initiative in Maine are listed in the 2011 Organic Initiative Payment Schedule.  A link to this payment schedule is provided below.  To access the NRCS Standard and Specification information for these practices, please go to Section IV of the Maine NRCS Electronic Field Office Technical Guide (eFOTG). 

If producers who sell less than $5,000 a year wish to use EQIP to implement practices related to organic production, they may do so; however, they are required to implement conservation practices for certified organic production that are consistent with an Organic System Plan (OSP).  Payments are not authorized for activities or practice components which are solely production related and are not linked to an identified resource concern. Payments may not be used for any costs related to organic certification.

2011 Organic Initiative Payment Schedule (.pdf)
2011 Organic Initiative Application Ranking Summary (.pdf)
News Release
News Release - 2nd Signup
National Organic Initiative Website

Contact:  Alice Begin
               (207)990-9100, Extension 3
               E-mail: alice.begin@me.usda.gov

Seasonal High Tunnels

Seasonal High Tunnels is a pilot project, which began in Fiscal Year 2010, under the "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative for farmers to establish high tunnels to increase the availability of locally-grown produce in a conservation-friendly way.

During the pilot period, high tunnel systems may be eligible for financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.  Financial assistance will be limited tunnels covering up to 5 percent of one acre (2,178 square feet) per farming operation - equivalent to a structure size of approximately 30 ft. x 72 ft.  The season high tunnel has an expected practice life of 4 years.

The deadline for Fiscal Year 2012 applications is July 1, 2011.

Some of the documents below require Adobe Acrobat Reader (.pdf)

News Release
Seasonal High Tunnel Fact Sheet (.pdf)
2011 Seasonal High Tunnel Payment Schedule (.pdf)
2011 Seasonal High Tunnel Application Ranking Summary (.pdf)
 

Contact:

Bill Yamartino
(207)990-9100, Extension 3
E-mail: bill.yamartino@me.usda.gov