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EQIP Program in Cherokee County

Updated 11/28/2005

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).

Cherokee County Office Information

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

Max Baker, District Conservationist

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

Specific State Concern State Resource Concern
AFO-CAFO -Poultry  Water Quality/Air Quality
AFO-CAFO -Swine  Water Quality/Air Quality
AFO-CAFO-Beef  Water Quality/Air Quality
AFO-CAFO -Dairy  Water Quality/Air Quality
Salt Cedar Invasive Species
Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher All

Objective:

The objectives of the Cherokee County EQIP LWG are to promote the use of conservation practices that will improve natural resources in the county by increasing permanent vegetative cover and reducing nutrients and sediment flowing into lake and streams.  Conservation practices will improve water quality and reduce erosion.

County EQIP Resource Concern:

In Cherokee County for 2006, the LWG identified Water Quality as the priority resource concern for cost share assistance.

Priority for Funding:

Priority will be determined following the established ranking criteria.  Applications will be ranked according to the land unit’s needs and producer objectives.  Applications will be funded starting with highest priority to the lowest priority.  Refer to the criteria and ranking section for further details.

Eligible Practices and Cost Share Rates:

Practices will be cost-shared based on the established average cost of the practice. Incentives will be offered based on a flat rate. Cost share earned will be the number of units certified after completion multiplied by the average cost multiplied by the cost share rate. Incentives will be the units completed multiplied by the flat rate established.

Practices (cost shared):

Fence (382)- Cost share rate - 50%
Cost share rate - 55% Beginning Farmers
Cost share rate - 90% Limited Resource Farmers
Average Cost: $1.60/ft.
Cross Fencing for rotational grazing only.

Pond (378)-Cost share rate - 50%
Cost share rate - 55% Beginning Farmers
Cost share rate - 90% Limited Resource Farmers
Average Cost - $3.00/cu. Yd.
For livestock water, needed for rotation
Limited to 2500 cubic yards by LWG. Pond must serve a minimum of 20 acres.

Pipeline (516)-Cost share rate - 50%
Cost share rate - 55% Beginning Farmers
Cost share rate - 90% Limited Resource Producers
Average Cost: $1.50/ft.
For livestock water, needed for rotation, Pipeline must serve a minimum of 20 acres.

Pasture Planting (512) -Cost share rate - 50%,
Cost share rate - 55% Beginning Farmers
Cost share rate - 90% Limited Resource Farmers
Average Cost - $125.00/ac. Sprigging
Average Cost - $75.00/ac. Seeded Varieties
Average Cost - $60.00/ac. Overseeding (Legumes)
Acreage Limit of 300 acres set by LWG.
Cost sharing is available only on land with less than 50 percent ground cover of desirable grasses. If legumes are planted and cost shared, legumes must be managed for reseeding.

Nutrient Management, Establishment (590)-Cost share rate - 50%,
Cost share rate - 55% Beginning Farmers
Cost share rate - 90% Limited Resource Farmers
Average Cost - $100.00/ac.
Acreage Limit of 300 acres set by LWG
Nutrient Management will be applied according to a current soils test.

Forest Site Preparation (490)-Cost share rate - 50%,
Cost share rate - 55% Beginning Farmers
Cost share rate - 90% Limited Resource Farmers
Average Cost: Open Land $80.00/ac.
Cut Over Land, Chemical $150.00/ac.
Cut Over Land , Mechanical $300.00/ac.
Acreage Limit of 300 acres set by LWG.

Tree Planting (612)- Cost share rate - 50%,
Cost share rate - 55% Beginning Farmers,
Cost share rate - 90% Limited Resource Farmers
Average Cost: Open Land $86.00/ac.
Cut Over Land $100.00/ac.
Acreage Limit of 300 acres set by LWG.

Forest Stand Improvement (666)- Cost share rate - 50%,
Cost share rate - 55% Beginning Farmers,
Cost share rate - 90% Limited Resource Farmers
Average Cost: Herbicide $100.00/ac.
Burn $30/ac.
Acreage Limit of 300 acres set by LWG.

  • All Cost-Shared Practices will be based on Actual Cost not to
    Exceed the Average Cost specified herein. (AA)


    • Practices (Incentive):

    Nutrient Management (590)-Flat Rate
    Soil pH >=5.5 - $20.00/ac. for up to three years
    Soil pH <=5.5 - $35.00/ac. for year 1
    $25.00/ac. for year 2
    $20.00/ac. for year 3
    Acreage Limit of 300 acres set by LWG.
    Nutrient Management will be applied according to a current soils test.

    Ranking Criteria:

    Conservation Practice

    Fence (382)
    5 points ______

    Pasture Planting (512)
    35 points ______

    Pond (378)
    3 points ______

    Pipeline (516)
    3 points ______

    Tree Planting (612)
    35 points ______

    Forrest Stand Improvement (666)
    15 points ______

    Nutrient Management (Incentive) (590)
    40 points ______


    Total Points _____


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