Environmental quality incentive program (EQIP)
Program Deadline: June 14, 2024
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers through contracts. These contracts provide financial assistance for producers to address soil, water and related natural resource concerns on private agricultural land and non-industrial private forestland. In addition, a purpose of EQIP is to help producers meet Federal, State, Tribal and local environmental regulations. Throughout Illinois, producers have received assistance to implement conservation practices that include, but are not limited to, nutrient management, cover crops, terraces, grassed waterways, manure management facilities, and pasture management.
Applying for EQIP
EQIP is available to producers or owners of eligible land with a natural resource concern. The land can be either in agricultural or forest production including producers engaged in livestock production.
Applications for EQIP are accepted on a continuous basis; however Illinois NRCS has established application cutoff dates (June 14th, 2024) for each fiscal year.
Illinois agricultural producers who submit a signed application, NRCS-CPA-1200 form, at their local NRCS field offices by the deadline will be evaluated for funding consideration.
Applicants must complete the NRCS-CPA-1200 application form available at their local field office or download the application and return the form to their local NRCS field office. After submitting an application, the applicant will also receive a copy of the NRCS-CPA-1202 Contract Appendix, explaining EQIP contract terms and conditions. Reviewing the contract appendix up front helps the applicant understand the requirements of the EQIP program. In addition, all applicants need to meet eligibility requirements in order to be an EQIP participant. Contact your local office to discuss eligibility criteria.
Ranking Process
EQIP is a competitive process and EQIP applicants compete for funds in funding pools. The funding pools are established on a statewide, Illinois NRCS area-wide, or watershed basis. The various funding pool categories allow similar applications types to be grouped together when competing for funds.
In order to compete, EQIP applications are ranked using the ranking and supporting documents below. The local NRCS office staff will work with the applicant to rank the application and plan the conservation practices. Your local NRCS office can explain the various funding pools and assist you with the ranking.
Contact Information:
For more information about the EQIP program in Illinois contact your local USDA Service Center. Piatt County NRCS Office: 217-762-2146 ext. 108 Merritt Steffens (Soil Conservationist)
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/il/programs/financial/?cid=nrcs141p2_030467