EQIP Program in McMullen 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).

McMullen County Office Information

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

Objective:

The main objective of the Local Work Group is to promote the use of conservation practices to improve Natural Resources throughout McMullen County.

County EQIP Resource Concern:

The Local Work Group, in McMullen County, has identified Water Quantity and Plant Condition as its primary Resource Concerns.

Priority for Funding:

The EQIP allocation will be apportioned as follows -
60 percent will be used to address Plant Condition.
40 percent will be used to address Water Quantity.

Eligible Practices and Cost Share Rates:

Limited Resource Farmers and Ranchers will receive 90 percent cost share for all practices.
Beginning Farmers and Ranchers and all other producers will receive 50 percent cost share
The approved practices will be cost-shared based on the established average cost of the practice in McMullen County see cost list. The amount of cost-share earned will be determined by the number of units certified after completion, multiplied by the established average cost, multiplied by the allowable cost-share percentage.

Eligible Practices
 
314 Brush Management
378 Pond
382 Fence
512 Pasture and Hay Planting
516 Pipeline
550 Range Planting
590 Nutrient Management
595 Pest Management
614 Water Storage Facility
642 Well

Ranking Criteria:

County Rate: 50 Percent
Beginning Farmer and Rancher: 50 Percent
Limited Resource Producer: 90 Percent

Plant Condition Ranking Criteria

Issue 1
Is this application for a pond or a livestock water pipeline and/or a water storage facility?
Yes ______  100 points
No ______

Issue 5
Is this application for cross-fencing or grass planting?
Yes _______ 80 points
No _______

Issue 9
If applying for cross-fences, is the need for fencing high, as determined by NRCS?

Yes ______ 60 points
No ______

Issue 10
If planting grass, has the area to be planted been cultivated to annual crops 3 of the last 5 years?

Yes ______ 55 points
No ______

Issue 12
Will water development supply water to more than one grazing unit?
Yes ______ 45 points
No ______

Issue 13
Is there a grazing system in use on this operating unit?
Yes ______ 40 points
No ______

Issue 14
Is it greater than 1 mile from existing water to the new water development?
Yes ______ 35 points
No ______

Issue 15
Is it between .75 and 1 mile from existing water to the new water development?
Yes ______ 30 points
No ______

Issue 16
Is it between .5 and .75 mile from existing water to the new water development?
Yes ______ 25 points
No ______

Water Quantity Ranking Criteria

Issue 1
Is this application for the chemical brush management of mesquite, huisache, mixed brush or prickly pear?
Yes ______ 100 points
No ______

Issue 3
Is this application for the mechanical brush management of mesquite, huisache, mixed brush or prickly pear?
Yes _______ 90 points
No ______

Issue 4
Is this application for broadcast chemical brush management?
Yes ______ 85 points
No ______

Issue 5
Is this application for IPT chemical brush management?
Yes ______ 80 points
No ______

Issue 7
Is this application for mechanical management of mixed brush or pricklypear other than root plowing?
Yes ______ 70 points
No _______

Issue 16
Is there a grazing system being used on this operating unit?
Yes ______ 25 points
No ______

Issue 17
Will creeks and natural corridors be left untreated and undisturbed?
Yes ______ 20 points
No ______

Issue 18
Will treated areas be done in strips or mosaics?
Yes ______ 15 points
No ______

Issue 19
Will native grasses and forbs be used where seeding is required?
Yes ______ 10 points
No ______

Issue 20
Is this application for root plowing and grass seeding?
Yes ______ 5 points
No ______