EQIP Program in Leon County

Updated 11/29/2005

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).

Leon County Office Information

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

Objective:

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 producer and land eligibility for the EQIP program. Eligible producers may apply for cost share assistance on practices that will improve the natural resources throughout the county and address the identified resource concern established by the Local Work Group (LWG).

County EQIP Resource Concern:

In Leon County for 2006, the LWG has identified the following resource concern as being the top priority for cost share assistance this year. Plant Health was selected as the highest priority in Leon County. Practices desired were obtained at the Program Development Group (PDG) meeting of local Landowners and Land users on August, 22 2005 at the Centerville Municipal Building. By providing an adequate ground cover through practices like Pasture Planting and or rotational grazing with Cross Fences and Livestock Watering Facilities plant health will be improved. These practices must serve an area that will support a minimum of 7 animal units. Livestock Water must meet the criteria for the livestock needs. Cross Fencing is for moving livestock from field to field developing rotational grazing. Tree Planting or Upland Wildlife Habitat Management will increase plant health help wildlife. Tree Planting will re-establish areas that are suited for tree growing. Upland Wildlife Habitat Management will re-establish degraded areas up to 10% of wooded land for wildlife.

Priority for Funding:

The priority for funding was determined by the LWG based on the effects each practice would have on the Primary Resource Concern Plant Health, by increasing plant health, decreasing plant health or having no effect.

(1) The LWG determined that Grass Planting was the highest priority conservation practice ranked. The LWG further determined that a current soils test would be required prior to application ranking.

(2) The LWG determined that Tree Planting was a medium high priority conservation practice. The LWG determined that the participant would be required to follow a Forestry Management Plan. This practice is eligible only for reforestation of cut over areas or current stand improvement.

(3) The LWG determined that Cross Fencing was a medium priority conservation practice. The LWG was informed that according to NRCS regulations that cross fencing may not be applied as a boundary fence or as a fence separating pastureland from hayland.

(4) The LWG determined that Livestock Watering Facilities was a medium low priority conservation practice.

(5) The LWG determined that Upland Wildlife Habitat Management was a low priority conservation practice.
 

Eligible Practices and Cost Share Rates:

Limited Resource Farmers & Ranchers  90 percent
Beginning Farmers and Ranchers - 50 percent
All Others - 50 percent

Livestock water, cross-fencing, and grass planting will be cost shared as per approved contract. The amount of the cost share earned will be the number of units certified after completion multiplied by the average cost (AM) multiplied by the cost share rate.

Nutrient Management for grass establishment will be cost shared on the actual cost not to exceed a specified maximum amount, (AM), as per the approved contract. Cost share earned will be the number of units certified after completion, multiplied by actual cost not to exceed the specified maximum average cost, and then multiplied by the cost share rate.

Pine Tree Planting to establish soil types that can grow pine trees. Cost shared on the actual cost not to exceed a specified maximum amount, (AM), as per the approved contract. Cost share earned will be the number of units certified after completion, multiplied by actual cost not to exceed the specified maximum average cost, and then multiplied by the cost share rate.

Upland Wildlife Habitat Management for establishing trees and shrubs that will provide nutrition for wildlife. Cost shared on the actual cost not to exceed a specified maximum amount, (AM), as per the approved contract. Cost share earned will be the number of units certified after completion, multiplied by actual cost not to exceed the specified maximum average cost, and then multiplied by the cost share rate. This area is not to exceed 10% of the total wooded area.

1. Pasture Planting (Code 512) - Unit = Acre
- Support 7 animal units.
- Must have current soils test and application be 90 percent-110% of test amounts.
* Average cost for perennial sprigged grasses = $108.00 per Acre AM x 50 percent, including seedbed preparation and planting. management for grass establishment (590) - Unit = Acre, average cost = $.35/lb AM x 50% fertilizer and $35/ton AM x 50 percent  limestone.
* Chemical weed control for grass establishment (595) - Unit = Acre, average cost = $10.50 AM per Acre x 50 percent .
* Mechanical weed control for grass establishment (595) - Unit = Acre, average cost = $9.50 AM per Acre x 50 percent .
* Average cost for perennial seeded grasses = $108.00 AM per Acre x 50%, including seedbed preparation and planting.

2. Pond (Code 378) - Unit = Cubic Yard
Serve a minimum of 25 acres per pasture, and meet the criteria for livestock water.
* Average cost = $1.55 per Cubic Yard x 50 percent.
* Excavated pond = maximum 4000 Cubic Yards.
* Embankment pond = maximum 5000 Cubic Yards, maximum 4800 diameter inches of pipe if design calls for it.

3. Pipeline (Code 516) Unit = Diameter inch
* Pipe for livestock water from existing source.
* Average cost $.95 per diameter inch x 50 percent .

4. Tree Planting (Code 612, 490, 666) Unit = Acre
- Have active Forestry Management Plan.
(612) Tree and Shrub Establishment
Seedlings 50% .05 AM each (5)
Planting Hand 50% 75 AM per acre (5)
Openland Machine 50% 55 AM per acre (5)
Wildland Machine 50% 110 AM per acre (5)
(490) Forest Site Preparation
CHEMICAL (Herbicides)
Woody Site Prep
Aerial 50% 130 AM per acre (5)
Ground 50% 150 AM per acre (5)
Woody Release & TSI
Aerial 50% 85 AM per acre (5)
Ground 50% 90 AM per acre (5)
Basil Spray 50% 80 AM per acre (5)
Individual Stem Inj. 50% 70 AM per acre (5)
Herbaceous Weed Control
Aerial 50% 100 AM per acre (5)
Openland Banding 50% 65 AM per acre (5)
Broadcast – Ground 50% 70 AM per acre (5)
Mechanical
Shear and Windrow 50% @ $275 AM per acre (5)

5. Cross-fence (Code 382) Unit = Foot
* Fence must serve 25 acres or more and be used for rotational grazing.
* Average Cost barbed = 4 strand wire $2.30 per foot AM x 50 percent 
electric = 3 strand $.45 per foot AM x 50 percent

6. Upland Wildlife Habitat Management (Code 645) Unit = Acre
- Have active wildlife management plan from Texas Parks & Wildlife.
* Brush Management
Light = $1100 per acre x 50 percent 
Medium = $1300 per acre x 50 percent
Heavy = $1400 per acre x 50 percent 
Very Heavy = $1600 per acre AM x 50 percent 
* Prescribed Burning
Fire Breaks = at $50 per acre AM x 50 percent
 

Ranking Criteria:

This document requires Microsoft Word.

FY 2006 Ranking and Practice List for Leon County  (30 KB)

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