Vermont 2008 EQIP Information

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was reauthorized in the 2008 Farm Bill to provide a voluntary conservation program for farmers that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. This new Farm Bill became law on May 22, 2008. The agency now is working towards drafting regulations and establishing standards as a result of this new legislation. Congress has given the agency 90 days from the date the Farm Bill became law to complete this process.

Although there were no major changes to the EQIP under the new Farm Bill, some of the changes that will go into effect after the rules have been written, may affect the application process for this program. That being said, it is important to note that due to some of these changes, you may have to complete an additional application and/or other eligibility forms as a result of these changes.

General Program Description

EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land.

All approved EQIP contracts will have a minimum term that ends one year after the implementation of the last scheduled practice and a maximum term of ten years. Contracts will provide set payments to implement eligible conservation practices, based on a per unit cost of installing a practice in a typical scenario.

Persons who are engaged in livestock or agricultural production on eligible land may participate in the EQIP program. Contracted EQIP activities are carried out according to an environmental quality incentives program plan of operations which is developed with the producer. The EQIP Plan of Operations identifies the appropriate conservation practice or practices to address resource concerns. The contracted practices must be implemented according to NRCS technical standards adapted for local conditions.

EQIP payment rates may cover up to 75 percent of the costs of installing certain conservation practices in a typical setting. However, limited resource producers, beginning farmers and ranchers, and socially disadvantaged farmers may be eligible for up to 90 percent. Payments for specified management practices may be provided for up to three years to encourage producers to carry out those practices which they may not otherwise implement. An individual or entity may not receive, directly or indirectly, payments that, in the aggregate, exceed $300,000 for all EQIP contracts entered during the term of the Farm Bill.