Environmental Quality Incentives Program

EQIP is funded at $130 million for fiscal year 1996 and $200 million annually through the year 2002. Five to ten year contracts are established to provide technical assistance and pay up to 75 percent of the costs of conservation practices such as manure management systems, pest management and erosion control. Land eligible for EQIP contracts is agricultural land that poses a serious problem to soil erosion or water quality. Activities under the contract are required to be carried out according to a conservation plan. The total cost-share and incentive payments to any person is limited to $10,000 annually and to $50,000 for the life of the contract. In the past, payments have been limited to $3,500 annually and $10,500 for the life of the contract.

To learn more about EQIP, contact your local office of the Farm Service Agency or your local U.S. Department of Agriculture Service Center.

Photos by Michael Kelly