EQIP Program in Washington County

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) offers cost share assistance to agricultural producers to implement on-farm conservation practices. Eligible producers may apply for cost share assistance on conservation practices that will address the resource concern identified by the Local Work Group (LWG).

Washington County Office Information

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

Veronica O'Donnell, District Conservationist

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

Objective:

The objective of the Washington County EQIP Local Work Group is to promote the use of conservation practices to improve natural resources throughout the county. Major emphasis is placed on implementation of selected conservation practices as part of a Resource Management System for the land unit to improve Plant Condition, primarily by enhancement of plant productivity, health and vigor.

County EQIP Resource Concern:

In Washington County for 2006, the Local Work Group has identified Plant Condition as the major resource concern.

Priority for Funding:

Screening and Ranking Tool

A screening and ranking questionnaire will be completed for each application by the applicant. A screening priority of High, Medium or Low and a ranking score will be determined by the applicant’s response on the questionnaire.

Primary Resource Concern – Plant Condition

High Priority

Issue 1
Ready, willing and able to make and implement all decisions necessary to achieve a Resource Management System (RMS) level of conservation plan on the operating unit. Yes = 100 Points No = 0 Points

Issue 5
Application is for establishment of grass. Yes = 80 Points No = 0 Points

Issue 6
Application is for control of brush. Yes = 75 Points No = 0 Points

Issue 7
Application is for Fence or Livestock Water Development – pond, well or pipeline.
Yes = 70 Points No = 0 Points

Medium Priority

Issue 11
Ready, willing and able to make and implement some but not all decisions necessary to achieve a Resource Management System (RMS) level of conservation plan on the conservation management unit.
Yes = 50 Points No = 0 Points

Issue 15
Application is for establishment of grass. Yes = 30 Points No = 0 Points

Issue 16
Application is for control of brush. Yes = 25 Points No = 0 Points

Issue 17
Application is for Fence or Livestock Water Development – pond, well or pipeline.
Yes = 20 Points No = 0 Points

Low Priority

Issue 19
Cost share practices will not be part of a conservation plan. Yes = 10 Points No = 0 Points

Eligible Practices:

Needs for practices will be based on NRCS guidelines.
314 – Brush Management
338 – Prescribed Burning
342 – Critical Area Planting
378 – Pond
382 – Fence
410 – Grade Stabilization Structure
512 – Pasture and Hay Planting
516 – Pipeline
528 – Prescribed Grazing Incentive (**)
550 – Range Planting
642 – Well
(**) Prescribed Grazing Incentive is optional as a one year incentive only where applicable as determined by NRCS, except that Prescribed Grazing Incentive is required to be used in conjunction with cost shared Well, Pipeline, Pond and Fence.

Cost Share Rate: