News Feature                                                            5/6/2009

2009 EQIP Applications Due May 22

Minnesota landowners are encouraged to submit 2009 applications to USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) for participation in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) by May 22. EQIP is offered through a continuous signup, but NRCS periodically makes funding selections as program dollars allow.

“So far, Minnesota NRCS received $21.5 million dollars to begin funding approved EQIP contracts.” states William Hunt, NRCS State Conservationist. “I encourage landowners to get applications in as soon as possible before the first cut-off date of May 22, 2009.”

EQIP was originally established under the 1996 Farm Bill and is reauthorized in the 2008 Farm Bill. It provides technical and financial assistance to landowners to voluntarily address soil, water and related natural resource concerns on private lands. Congress included new provisions in the 2008 Farm Bill setting aside 5 percent of EQIP financial assistance dollars to assist beginning farmers and another 5 percent to assist socially disadvantaged farmers.

A new change with this year’s signup is that the payment rate paid for enduring conservation practices has increased from 50 to 75% of the average cost of the practice. This increase in payment rate for agricultural producers comes at a time when producers are facing challenging economic conditions. Historically Underserved producers such as Socially Disadvantaged Farmers, Beginning Farmers and Limited Resource Farmers may be eligible for up to 90% of the average cost of the practice being paid for on practices.

Hunt recommends landowners visit their local NRCS/SWCD field staffs to work on a conservation plan. The advantage of having a conservation plan is it allows landowners to gain a better knowledge of what and where resource issues are on the farm. Once determined, the methods, activities, and practices prescribed to address them could increase scores and ranking of their EQIP application.

For more information about EQIP, visit your local USDA Service Center or visit our website at: http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov

NRCS provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain and improve our natural resources and environment.

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