Indigenous Alliance Reestablishes TEK Approach conseevation

 The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.

This voluntary conservation programs helps producers make conservation work for them.  Together, NRCS and producers invest in solutions that conserve natural resources for the future while also improving agricultural operations.

Through EQIP, NRCS provides agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers with financial resources and one-on-one help to plan and implement improvements, or what NRCS calls conservation practices.  Using these practices can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving agricultural operations.  Through EQIP, you can voluntarily implement conservation practices, and NRCS co-invests in these practices with you.

Some of these benefits include:

• Reduction of contamination from agricultural sources, such as animal feeding operations.
• Efficient utilization of nutrients, reducing input costs and reduction in nonpoint source pollution.
• Increased soil health to help mitigate against increasing weather volatility and improved drought resiliency.
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Conservation Incentive Contracts are an option under EQIP, with a focus on Climate-Smart Forestry and Agriculture and Drought Resilience management practices. EQIP-CIC provides financial assistance to adopt conservation activities on working landscapes.

In fiscal year 2022, Conservation Incentive Contracts are available to producers, nationwide. For more information, read the January 10, 2022 news release.

Through five to 10-year contracts, producers manage, maintain and address important natural resource concerns and build on existing conservation efforts.

Review the updated fact sheet for additional details.

The EQIP advance payment option limits out-of-pocket conservation costs for historically underserved producers. The option provides at least 50 percent of the contracted payment for each conservation practice up front, before the practice is implemented, to purchase materials or contract services.  The advance payment must be expended within 90 days of receipt, and the practice completed as agreed to on the EQIP plan of operations.

Under the general EQIP payment process, a producer is reimbursed after a conservation practice is implemented. This process often means that producers must pay up front costs with their own funds, which can be cost prohibitive for many historically underserved producers.

Who is Eligible?

Historically Underserved Producers:

• Beginning Farmer or Rancher – is someone who has never operated a farm or ranch, or, has operated a farm or ranch for less than 10-consecutive years.
• Socially Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher – is a member of a group whose members have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as members of that group without regard to their individual qualities.
• Veteran Farmer or Rancher – has served in the armed forces and has not operated a farm or ranch, has operated a farm or ranch for less than 10-consecutive years, or first obtained veteran status during the last 10 years.
• Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher –  has a household income at or below the national poverty level. Eligibility can be determined by using the Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher Tool.

How It Works

All EQIP practices are eligible for advance payments, including vegetative, structural, and management practices. Producers can use the option for as many or as few practices as they choose and have the right to change their decision before they receive payment. Historically underserved producers are also eligible for a higher payment rate