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EQIP Program in Shelby 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).

Shelby County Office Information

Interested agricultural producers may apply in person at the Shelby 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 Shelby 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
Chinese Tallow Invasive Species
Longleaf Pine-Bobwhite Quail-Red Cockaded Woodpecker Wildlife
Reforestation Plant Condition
Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher All

Objective:

The objectives of the Shelby County EQIP Local Work Group (LWG) are to promote the use of conservation practices for improving the natural resources throughout the county with major emphasis on improving plant health and improving water quality. Plant health will be improved by providing a better utilization of grazing with conservation and management practices.

County EQIP Resource Concern:

In Shelby County for 2006, the LWG has identified Plant Health as the major resource concern. Improve plant health by providing cost share for tree and or grass establishment. Reducing erosion by shaping gullies and improving grazing distribution with ponds and cross fencing.

Eligible Practices and Cost Share Rates:

Limited Resource Producers  90 Percent
Beginning Farmers and Ranchers - 50 Percent
All Others - 50 Percent

Practices will be cost shared based on the actual cost not to exceed a specified maximum or AM, as per an approved contract. The amount of cost share earned will be the number of units certified after completion, multiplied by the actual cost not to exceed the specified maximum average cost, multiplied by the cost share rate.

Cost sharing will be allowed for the following practices as identified in the Field Office Technical Guide.

Pasture Planting (512) – Units = Acres, Cost share rate = 50 Percent AM

  • Average cost for sprigged grasses = $170.00 per Acre
  • Average cost for seeded grasses = $ 70.00 per Acre
  • Average cost for over seeding legumes = $ 65.00 per Acre
  • Includes seedbed preparation and planting.


    Nutrient Management for Grass Establishment (590) Units = Acres, Cost Share Rate = 50 Percent AM
  • Average cost for NPK = $85.00 per Acre
  • Average cost for Agricultural Lime = $44.00 per Ton
  • Limited to the First Year of Grass Establishment


    Weed Control for Grass Establishment (595) Units = Acres, Cost share rate = 50 Percent AM
  • Average cost Mechanical Control = $20.00 per Acre
  • Average cost Chemical Control = $25.00 per Acre
  • Limited to the First Year of Grass Establishment


    Fencing (382) Units = Feet, Cost share rate = 50 Percent AC
  • Average cost = $2.00 per Foot
  • Limited to cross fences only.
  • Fencing will be based on a rotational system based to carry 7 animal units or more.


    Tree Planting (612) – Unit = Acres, Cost share rate = 50 Percent AM
  • Average cost for pine planting = $120.00 per Acre
  • Average cost for hardwood planting = $200.00 per Acre
  • Average cost for longleaf pine = $210.00 per Acre
  • Includes seedlings and planting operation.


    Woodland Site Preparation (490) - Unit = Acres, Cost Share = 50 Percent AM
    Average Cost based on site conditions:
  • Cutover needing shearing and piling = $280.00 per Acre
  • Cutover needing chemical application = $100.00 per Acre
  • Openland needing banding = $50.00 per Acre
  • Openland needing ripping = $75.00 per Acre

    Critical Area Treatment (342) - Unit = Acres, Cost Share = 50 Percent AM
    Average Cost based on site conditions:
  • Shaping Heavy = $1000.00 per Acre
  • Shaping Medium = $800.00 per Acre
  • Shaping Light = $400.00 per Acre
  • Vegetation = $250.00 per Acre

    Ponds (378) - Unit = Acres, Cost Share = 50 Percent AM
    Average Cost based on site conditions:
  • Excavation = $3.00 cu yd
  • Ponds limited to a maximum of 3000 cu yd
  • Ponds limited livestock use only and must be used to distribute grazing.

    Riparian Forest Buffer (391) – Unit = Acres, Cost Share = 100 percent FR
  • Incentive payment for new establishment only $ 1000.00 per acre one year max.

    Ranking Criteria:

    Tree Planting

    Note: Conservation practices planned and installed through EQIP must adhere to HEL and Wetland regulations. Practices that would lead to a violation will not be ranked.

    Tree Planting – 50 Points

    Pasture & Hayland Planting (512)

    Note: Conservation practices planned and installed through EQIP must adhere to HEL and Wetland regulations. Practices that would lead to a violation will not be ranked.

    Pasture Planting – 50 Points

    Note:
  • Planting permanent grasses are eligible only on stands with ground cover less than 50 Percent base grass.
  • Legume plantings must be deferred from grazing to allow reseeding to occur.
  • Pest Management will be utilized to control competing vegetation.
  • Fertilizer nutrients will be applied according to a current soils analysis.

    Riparian Forest Buffer Establishment (391)

    Note: Conservation practices planned and installed through EQIP must adhere to HEL and Wetland regulations. Practices that would lead to a violation will not be ranked.

    Riparian Forest Buffer – 45 Points
  • Practice used to improve water quality and reduce erosion must follow all NRCS specifications.

    Critical Area Treatment

    Note: Conservation practices planned and installed through EQIP must adhere to HEL and Wetland regulations. Practices that would lead to a violation will not be ranked.

    Critical Area Treatment – 40 Points

    Fencing

    Note: Conservation practices planned and installed through EQIP must adhere to HEL and Wetland regulations. Practices that would lead to a violation will not be ranked.

    Fencing – 30 Points
    Note:
  • Limited to cross fences only.
  • Fencing will be based on a rotational system based to carry 7 animal units or more.

    Ponds

    Note: Conservation practices planned and installed through EQIP must adhere to HEL and Wetland regulations. Practices that would lead to a violation will not be ranked.

    Ponds – 20 Points
  • Ponds limited to 3000 cu yd maximum.
  • Offered for livestock water for better distribution of grazing only.
  • Critical Area Planting will be applied with pond construction to establish vegetation on disturbed area above waterline.

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