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Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
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Program level:
National
Provider:
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Benefits provided:
Financial, Free technical assistance
Land use:
Agriculture, Forest
Water-focused program:
No
Funding to implement best management practices.
Overview
Description:
Participants install or implement structural, vegetative, and management practices – like improving irrigation efficiency, restoring pasture, or nutrient and pest management – on eligible agricultural land and nonindustrial private forestland. Practice payments offset the costs associated with the installation, cost of materials and/or income lost with adoption of conservation measures
Socially disadvantaged, beginning and limited resource farmers, Indian tribes and veterans are eligible for an increased payment rate and may receive advance payment of up to 50 percent to purchase materials and services needed to implement conservation practices included in their EQIP contract. Contracts can be up to 10 years in duration
Eligibility:
Control or own cropland, rangeland, pastureland, non-industrial private forestland and other farm or ranch lands. Operators of non-industrial, private forest land must have an interest in the land and have control of it for the life of the contract
Comply with adjusted gross income limitation (AGI) provisions
Be in compliance with the highly erodible land and wetland conservation requirements
Develop an NRCS EQIP plan of operations
Financial benefit:
Varying payment rate. Payments to a person or entity are limited to $300,000 during any 6-year period.
Contact information
Information last updated on July 15, 2025.
Planning Importance
Developing a forest, agricultural, or conservation plan helps identify and prioritize objectives for landowners. These objectives can determine what type programs to search for. Supporting organizations in your area often provide free consultation and planning.
Landscape Characteristics
See how your land fits into the broader context of regional conservation, ecosystem services, and working lands' values across the landscape through our interactive mapper tool. It could help you determine which program is a good fit for you!
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