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Kansas 2003 State EQIP Sign-Up and Application Information

General Program Description

Photo of NRCS District Conservationist discussing conservation plan with a landowner

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The program promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible goals. EQIP offers financial and technical assistance to assist eligible participants install or implement structural and management conservation practices on eligible agricultural land.

EQIP offers contracts with a minimum term that ends one year after the implementation of the last scheduled practice and a maximum term of 10 years. EQIP activities are carried out according to a conservation plan of operations developed with the program participants. Contracts with confined animal feeding operations (CAFO) are required to develop and implement a comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP). The conservation practices are subject to Kansas NRCS standards and specifications. Farmers and ranchers may elect to use a certified third-party provider for technical assistance, if available.

NRCS will establish application evaluation periods and a cut off each year when funds must be obligated.

An individual or entity may not receive, directly or indirectly, cost-share or incentive payment that, in the aggregate, exceed $450,000 for all EQIP contracts entered into during the term of the 2002 Farm Bill.

How EQIP Works In Kansas

Based on local advice through the Kansas State Technical Committee (KTC) and national EQIP priorities, the following resource concerns were identified as priorities in Kansas for Fiscal Year 2003:

Air Quality – Livestock Concerns
Grazing Lands Health – Plant Condition & Management of Pests
Soil Quality – Excessive Wind Erosion
Water Quality – Confined Animal Waste
Water Quality – Concentrated, Non-confined Animal Waste
Water Quality – Nutrients, Pesticides, Sedimentation
Water Quantity – Ground & Surface Water Conservation

Statewide ranking criteria for each concern have been developed and eligible practices identified within each resource concern. Ranking criteria consider cost-effective practices, use of practices that treat multiple resource concerns, environmental benefits including carbon sequestration, compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and benefit to at-risk species. Cost-share percentages have been set based upon recommendations from the KTC. Incentive payments may be provided for up to three years to encourage producers to carry out management practices they may not otherwise implement without the incentive.

Applications can be taken at any time during the year. Sign-up is conducted at local USDA Service Centers.

Allocations are made to NRCS administrative areas. Applications are ranked within these areas for funding.

The following documents require Adobe Acrobat.

NRCS Administrative Area Map (95 KB) (Text version)

EQIP is a competitive program. Since program implementation in 1997, demand for EQIP financial assistance in Kansas has greatly exceeded the funds available. Typically, Kansas has been able to fund approximately 60% of the applications received. With the changes from the 2002 Farm Bill, such as removing “bid-down”, we expect the cost per contract to increase; however, it appears we will receive substantially more funds than in previous years. Producers should not hesitate to sign-up for the program if they have a resource concern the program seeks to address that needs to be treated. NRCS is available for assistance to determine if a resource concern exists on the site.

2003 Application Evaluation Criteria

2003 Eligible Conservation Practices

Application Forms

Application forms are available at your local USDA Service Center or at the national NRCS EQIP website.

Contact

Gaye Benfer
Phone: (785) 823-4569
Email: Gaye.Benfer