EQIP Program in Lipscomb 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).

Lipscomb County Office Information

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

Mary Foster, District Conservationist

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

Objective:

Base Fund Allocation

The objective of the Lipscomb County Environmental Quality Incentives Program EQIP Local Work Group LWG is to promote the use of conservation practices for improving the natural resources throughout the county with the major emphasis on erosion and plant health.

Ground and Surface Water GSW Fund Allocation

The objective of the Lipscomb County EQIP LWG is to promote the use of conservation practices that conserve ground water and promote the wise and efficient use of ground water by producers.

County EQIP Resource Concern:

Base Fund Allocation

In Lipscomb County for 2007, the LWG has identified Erosion and Plant Health as the major resource concerns. Funds are to be as follows. 50 percent for erosion practices and 50 percent for plant health practices.

GSW Fund Allocation

In 2007 the Lipscomb County LWG identified Water Quantity as the major resource concern for GSW funding.

Priority for Funding:

See eligible practices and cost share rates.

Eligible Practices and Cost Share Rates:

Cost Share Rates

Limited Resource Producers. 90 percent cost share except for incentive payments which are a flat rate for all producers.
Beginning Farmers/Ranchers. 50 percent cost share except for incentive payments which are a flat rate for all producers.
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.

Base Fund Allocation.

1. Range Planting 550 and Pasture and Hay Land Planting 512 50 percent cost share. Limited to 160 acres per farm number.
2. Erosion Control Practices. Grassed Waterway 412, Diversion 362, Terrace 600. 50 percent cost share. Terraces limited to 160 acres per farm number.
3. Flow Meter, 442 Irrigation Incentive Payment
   

1. Cross Fence 382. This practice is designated for land affected by fire. 50% cost share.
2. Brush Management 314. 50 percent cost share. Limited to 640 acres per farm number. Ninety day required deferment on spring spraying. April through October grazing deferment on fall spraying. No cost share on required deferments.
3. Livestock Water Practices. Water Well 642, Pipeline 516, Watering Facility 614, Pumping Plant 533. 50 percent cost share on all the above listed practices. All applications must meet need and feasibility criteria for consideration. No livestock watering facilities on cropland.
4. Cross Fence 382. 50 percent cost share.

GSW Fund Allocation

1. Irrigation System 442, Install new sprinkler system replacing furrow, water drive or side roll irrigation system. 50 percent cost share.
2. Irrigation System 442. Sprinkler LPIC Conversion. This practice will be used for the conversion of existing, low efficiency center pivots to LPIC-style center pivots. 50 percent cost share.
3. Irrigation Pipeline 430. Install new irrigation pipeline to replace open ditch irrigation or leaky buried pipeline. 50 percent cost share.

Ranking Criteria:

Base Fund Ranking Criteria

Grassed Waterway 412, Diversion 362, Terrace 600 Grade Stabilization Structure 410, 100 points.
Conversion of cropland to grass. Rangeland Planting 550 or Pasture and Hayland Planting 512 50 points.

Water Quantity Practices and Codes.

Installation of Flowmeters with IWM plan 449 Incentive Payment 40 points.

Plant Health Practices and Codes.

Cross Fence on land susceptible to erosion, complicated by wildfire, 382,100 points.
Brush Management 314. 100 points.
Livestock Water Practices. Water Well 642, Pipeline 516, Watering Facility 614, Pumping Plant 533. 90 points
Fence 382. 80 points.

GSW Fund Ranking Criteria

New sprinkler system replacing furrow or water drive systems. 100 points.

Conversion of existing sprinkler system to LPIC system. 80 points

Irrigation pipeline to replace open ditch or leaky pipeline or new pipeline from well to new sprinkler, 430. 50 points.
In the event of a tie a 12 digit computer generated number will break a tie.

Practices not mentioned above are not eligible for cost share or incentive payment.