How EQIP Works in Texas

EQIP is a continuous sign-up program that allows landowners or operators to apply for financial and technical assistance for the application of specific conservation practices. Higher priority will be given to those applications that address national, state and local priorities and provide higher cost efficiency.

The NRCS in Texas supports the locally led process through local work groups and provides EQIP funding to every county. The State Technical Committee and Local Work Groups have concurred in the practices eligible for financial assistance to treat the identified resource concerns.

In Texas, financial assistance funds will be used to address both the local high priority practices identified by the Local Work Group and the statewide resource concerns identified by the State Technical Committee. Landowners and operators will choose the practices and evaluation system that best fits their needs.

Payments for installed practices and management incentives will be made in accordance with the posted payment schedule for the conservation practice activity planned. The payment rate for each practice activity is on a per unit basis.  The payment schedule for Limited Resource Farmers and Ranchers (LRFR), Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (SDAFR) and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers (BFR) are set at higher levels than the standard rates. A separate payment schedule has been developed for LRFR, SDAFR, BFR and qualified participants with increased payment rates.

A contract containing an EQIP Plan of Operations will be developed on applications that are accepted into the program. The minimum contract period will be one year following implementation of the last conservation practice but cannot exceed 10 years. Technical assistance will be provided by NRCS or, if desired, by a private Technical Service Provider (TSP) funded by NRCS.

Producer Eligibility

In order to be considered an agricultural producer eligible for EQIP, there must be an annual minimum of $1,000 of agricultural products produced and/or sold from the operation.  Agricultural producers of non-industrial private forest land are exempt from the $1,000 requirement.

There are, however, circumstances that may limit an individual’s or entity’s participation; these include:

• Federal and state governments and political subdivisions thereof, are not eligible.
  
• The applicant must be in compliance with highly erodible land and wetland conservation provisions.
  
• The individual or entity may not be eligible due to Adjusted Gross Income provisions.

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible to signup for EQIP the applicant must be determined to be an eligible producer by the NRCS. The land offered for EQIP must also be determined eligible by NRCS. Eligible land is land that has a resource concern identified by a certified conservation planner that can be addressed through application of eligible conservation practices. The participant must complete and sign all necessary forms including the NRCS-CPA-1200.*  Eligibility forms and documentation required by the FSA must be submitted to FSA prior to NRCS acceptance of the application. Payment eligibility is contingent on the producer not starting the practice prior to having an approved EQIP contract signed by the appropriate Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) representative unless granted prior approval by the NRCS State Conservationist.

* Applications are accepted year around and funding of applicants varies throughout the year.

Ranking Pools

Eligible persons may select to apply in either the county base program, which reflects approved recommendations by the Local Work Group, or in one of the approved Statewide Resource Concerns based on recommendations by the State Technical Committee.

The base program will vary from county to county depending on the priorities set at the local level.

The State Resource Concerns to be addressed in 2009 are listed below. Check the link for state information to find the high priority counties and eligible practices.

• Water Quantity – Brush Management
  
• Water Quantity - Irrigation
  
• Water and Air Quality - AFO/CAFO
  
• Wildlife Habitat
  
• Invasive Species


• Water Quality - South Central Texas
  
• Plant Condition - Reforestation