EQIP Program in Hidalgo 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).
Interested agricultural producers may apply in person at the
Hidalgo 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
Hidalgo County:
Objective:
The 2007 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) main objective in
Hidalgo County is to protect the natural resource base. This will be
accomplished by providing cost share assistance to install approved conservation
practices, incentive payments for management practices, and providing technical
assistance. Producers can submit multiple applications in the same operating
unit to adequately treat the resource concern. County EQIP Resource Concern:
The Local Workgroup has identified Water Quality as the primary resource
concern in Hidalgo County, thus having the highest priority for cost share
assistance, incentive payments and technical assistance. The Local Work Group is
confident that by addressing this concern there will be an overall reduction in
soil erosion, improvement in water quantity and quality and enhancement of
wildlife habitat.
Screening Criteria: If any of the following are answered no, your application
will not be considered for funding. Please initial your response. In order to be
eligible for priority treatments High, Medium or Low the tract must or will be
grazed by domestic livestock or be cropland where residue management as
described in “Eligible Practices” is not being carried out.
Can you provide proof of control (Deed/Lease Agreement through Contract Period?
Yes or No _____
If leased will the owner agree to maintain any practices implemented under the
EQIP Program for the lifespan of the conservation practice?
Yes or No_____
In order to be considered an agriculture producer, there must be a minimum of
$1,000 or more of agriculture products produced and sold, or, that normally
would have been sold for 2 of the last 5 years or IRS Schedule F showing a
profit or a loss from a farming/livestock operation.
Yes $1000 or more or No_____
I will obtain written permission from the owner and/or necessary easements
before the application will be considered for approval.
Yes or No_____
I agree to install practices according to NRCS Standards and Specifications and
will call the Texas One Call Notification System prior to initiating work that
requires their assistance and provide the NRCS with the confirmation number.
Yes or No_____
Eligible Practices and Cost Share Rates:
Limited resource producers will be cost-share at 90 percent.
All others,
including beginning farmers and ranchers will be cost-shared at 50
percent.
Ranking Criteria:
HIGH - Practices included in this application are part of a plan that will
address all resource concerns at a Resource Management System (SWAPA) Level on
the entire operating unit.
MEDIUM - Practices included in this application are part of a progressive resource
management plan that will address at least one resource concern (SWAPA) on a
portion of the operating unit.
LOW - Practices included in this application are not part of any land treatment
plan and do not address any of the resource concerns.
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