EQIP Program in Lamar 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).

Lamar County Office Information

Interested agricultural producers may apply in person at the Lamar 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 Lamar County:

Objective:

The objectives of the Lamar County EQIP Local Work Group are to promote the use of conservation practices for improving the natural resources throughout the county.

County EQIP Resource Concern:

In Lamar County for 2007, the LWG has identified the following resource concerns as being top priority for cost share assistance this year – Plant Condition and Soil Erosion were selected as the two highest priority concerns in Lamar County. 80 percent of the county allocated funds will be used for Plant Condition and 20 percent of the county allocated funds will be used for Soil Erosion.

Eligible Practices and Cost Share Rates:

Cost Share Rates

Limited Resource Producers – 90 percent
Beginning Farmers/Ranchers – 50 percent
Others – 50 percent

Practices will be cost shared based on the established average cost of the practice. The amount of cost share earned will be the number of units certified after completion multiplied by the average cost multiplied by the cost share percentage. Cost sharing will be allowed for the following practices as identified in the Field Office Technical Guide-

Pasture Planting, Pond, Critical Area Planting, Pest Management Incentives, Grade Stabilization Structure, and Fence

For cost share consideration, these practices must be needed to significantly improve Plant Health -

Cost sharing will be allowed for the following practices as identified in the Field Office Technical Guide-

Pasture Planting, Pond, Critical Area Planting, Grade Stabilization Structure, Tree/Shrub Establishment and Fence

For cost share consideration, these practices must be needed to significantly improve Plant Condition and reduce Soil Erosion -

Pasture Planting 512 – 75 acres maximum. For approved seeded grasses and for sprigging. Seedbed prep-Medium, Seeding operation-Broadcast.

Nutrient Management 590 –Rate based on 40-40-40 NPK.  Cost share is for establishment of grasses. Soils test required.

Pest Management 595 – Chemical or mechanical. Cost share is for establishment of grass.

Ponds 378 – 3000 cubic yards maximum earthmoving.

Critical Area Planting 342 – 5 acres maximum. light shaping, medium shaping, heavy shaping. Seedbed Prep- Medium, Seeding operation-Broadcast, Cost share is for establishment of grass on disturbed areas.

Nutrient Management 590 – Rate based on 40-40-40 NPK. Cost share is for establishment of grass on disturbed areas. Soils test required.

Pest Management 595 – Chemical or mechanical. Cost share is for establishment of grass on disturbed areas.

Fence 382 – 2640 feet maximum. 4 barbed wire standard, 2 strand permanent electric, and permanent net wire.

Grade Stabilization Structure 410 –7000 cubic yard maximum, 1500 diameter feet pipe. Rock Panel Drop – 75 tons of rock maximum. Toewall – Material = per foot weir maximum, Installation = per sq.ft., 12 inch shoulder drain = per linear foot, Rock Riprap and Installation = per ton, Reinforced and installed concrete = per cubic yard.

Critical Area Planting 342 –This is for establishment of grass on spoil and disturbed areas of GSS.

Nutrient Management 590 – Rate based on 40-40-40 NPK. Cost share is for establishment of grass on spoil and disturbed areas of GSS.

Pest Management 595 – Chemical or mechanical.

Cost share is for establishment of grass on spoil and disturbed areas of GSS.

Tree Planting 612 – 50 acres maximum. Herbaceous weed control – 50 acres maximum

Forest Site Prep 490 – 50 acres maximum.

Ranking Criteria:

Screening and Ranking Criteria: 2007 Plant Condition

Local Question 1: Do you want to plant a permanent grass for pasture establishment?
Local Question 2: Is there inadequate livestock water on this tract?
Local Question 3: Do you have a current soils test?
Local Question 4: Do you have livestock?
Local Question 5: Have you shredded or sprayed for weeds in the past year?
Local Question 6: Do you have less than 50 percent grass cover?
Local Question 7: Do you have a current conservation plan?
Local Question 8: Do you want a cross fence to facilitate rotational grazing?
Local Question 9: Do you want to plant pine trees for wood production?

Screening and Ranking Criteria: 2007 Soil Erosion

Local Question 1: Do you have ephemeral gully erosion on this tract?
Local Question 2: Do you have sheet/rill erosion on this tract?
Local Question 3: Do you want to treat eroding areas on this tract?
Local Question 4: Are you willing to exclude livestock from treated areas?
Local Question 5: Do you have classic gully erosion on this tract?
Local Question 6: Do you have a current soils test?
Local Question 7: Do you have a current conservation plan?
Local Question 8: Are you willing to maintain completed practices for it’s lifespan?