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Kansas EQIP Producer Self-Assessment Tool

General Program Description

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 to 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. Conservation practices are subject to Kansas NRCS standards and specifications. Farmers and ranchers may elect to use a certified Technical Service Provider for technical assistance, if available.

Contracts with confined animal feeding operations (CAFO) are required to develop and implement a comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP). Contracts funded with EQIP Ground and Surface Water Conservation funds will implement conservation measures that result in a net water savings in the agricultural operation of the producer.

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 into during the term of the 2002 Farm Bill.

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

Applications, however, can be taken at any time during the year. Sign-up is conducted at local NRCS offices.

Beginning Farmer/Rancher or Limited Resource Farmer/Rancher Option

EQIP allows an additional 20 percent cost-share for participants that meet Beginning Farmer/Rancher or Limited Resource Farmer/Rancher criteria. Review the criteria below to determine if you might be eligible for either of these options. If you feel that you are eligible, you will be able to select either option on your EQIP application.

A Beginning Farmer or Rancher means an individual or entity who:

  • Has not operated a farm or ranch, or who has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 10 consecutive years. This requirement applies to all members of an entity;
  • Will materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm or ranch.

In the case of a contract with an individual, individually or with the immediate family, material and substantial participation requires that the individual provide substantial day-to-day labor and management of the farm or ranch, consistent with the practices in the county or state where the farm is located.

In the case of a contract with an entity, all members must materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm or ranch. Material and substantial participation requires that each of the members provide some amount of the management, or labor and management necessary for day-to-day activities, such as if each of the members did not provide these inputs, operation of the farm or ranch would be seriously impaired.

A Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher or Forest Owner is:

  • A person with direct or indirect gross farm sales not more than $102,400 in each of the previous two years. (This value will be increased beginning in Fiscal Year 2005 to adjust for inflation using the "Prices Paid by Farmer Index" compiled by National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).)
    AND
  • A person with a total household income at or below the national poverty level for a family of four or less than 50 percent of county median household income in each of the previous two years. (Total household income will be determined annually and indexed for inflation using Commerce Department data.) A tool to determine eligibility is available on-line.

About This Self-Assessment Tool

This tool is required for all EQIP applications and must be completed by the participant prior to the published application evaluation period cut-off date for the application to be considered for funding.

Completing the following self-assessment tool will help you understand your existing natural resource concerns, the treatment that may be required, and if EQIP is the program that can help you accomplish your conservation goals.

Self-Assessment Tool