EQIP Program in Kimble County

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) offers cost share assistance to agricultural producers to implement on-farm conservation practices.  The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) determines eligible producers for the EQIP program and determines eligible land.  Eligible producers may apply for cost share assistance on conservation practices that will address the identified resource concern identified by the Local Work Group (LWG).

Kimble County Office Information

Interested agricultural producers may apply in person at the Kimble County USDA Service Center. Applicants may also request EQIP assistance by telephone, Fax, e-mail, or letter.

State Resource Concerns Priority Areas that include part of Kimble County:

Objective:

The Objective of the Kimble County EQIP LWG is to promote the use of conservation practices for improving natural resources within the county. The major resource concern is Water Quantity/ Water Quality.

County EQIP Resource Concern:

Water Quantity/Water Quality was identified by the LWG as the Highest Resource Concern. The encroachment of Invasive Brush Species was identified as the biggest problem contributing to the reduction in water quantity/quality. Controlling brush species will be given highest priority for cost share.

Priority for Funding:

Only High Priority Applications will be ranked unless funds remain after all High Priority Applications have been funded.

Eligible Practices and Cost Share Rates:

Cost Share Rates

Limited Resource Producer - 90 percent
Beginning Farmer/Rancher - 50 percent
All Others - 50 percent

Practices will be cost shared based on the established average cost of the practice. The amount earned for each practice will be the number of units certified after completion multplied by the average cost multiplied by the cost share percentage.

Brush control will receive priority for funding. All methods of Brush Control are eligible for cost share. Facilitating practices may also be included for cost share. At least 75 percent of the total contract dollars must be spent on brush control. No more than 25 percent of the contract dollars may be spent on facilitating practices. Facilitating practices for Kimble County include fencing, range planting, livestock pipelines, water storage facilities, troughs and wells.

Ranking Criteria:

South East Llano - High
Remainder of Kimble County - Medium

Brush Species to Manage

Juniper - 175 pts
Mesquite - 100 pts
Prickly Pear - 75 pts
Other - 25 pts

Type of Control

Mechanical w/ follow-up prescribed burn - 175 pts
Mechanical - 100 pts.
Handcutting w/ follow-up prescribed burn - 150 pts.
Handcutting 75 pts.
IPT with follow-up prescribed burn - 125 pts.
IPT 50 pts.

Prescribed Burning (single) - 50 pts.

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