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Vermont 2008 EQIP Information

General Program Description

Environmental Quality Inventives Program: Photo of NRCS District Conservationist and farmer

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 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 and beginning farmers and ranchers 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 $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.

EQIP is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Vermont Specific EQIP Information

EQIP program sign-ups are conducted at USDA Service Centers in Vermont.

Review the Vermont EQIP Program Information page for information specific to Vermont 2008 EQIP. This page includes the 2008 EQIP Program Ranking Document, Eligible Practice and Practice Payment Lists, and other applicable Vermont EQIP information.