Vermont 2004 EQIP Information

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was reauthorized in the 2002 Farm Bill (Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002) to provide a voluntary conservation program for farmers that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals.

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 incentive payments and cost-shares to implement eligible conservation practices.

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 may cost-share up to 75 percent of the costs of certain conservation practices. However, limited resource producers and beginning farmers and ranchers may be eligible for cost-shares up to 90 percent. Incentive 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 without the incentive. An individual or entity may not receive, directly or indirectly, cost-share or incentive payments that, in the aggregate, exceed $450,000 for all EQIP contracts entered during the term of the Farm Bill.

EQIP participants may elect to use certified Technical Service Providers for technical assistance.

Vermont Specific EQIP Information

Program Ranking Document, Eligible Practice and Cost Share List, and other applicable Vermont EQIP information.