California 2009 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

• Contact your local Service Center
• Statewide Contacts

2009 EQIP Program Information

General Program Description

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was established in the 1996 Farm Bill to provide a single, voluntary conservation program for farmers and ranchers to address significant natural resource concerns. Nationally, it provides technical and financial assistance to address natural resource concerns. Administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), EQIP was reauthorized in the 2008 Farm Bill and awards cost share assistance to projects which provide significant environmental benefit. Eligible farmers and ranchers may apply for EQIP program benefits at any time. Application ranking periods are established to allow evaluation of projects and awarding of contracts based upon an environmental score for each application that achieves the natural resource benefits identified by local, state and national priorities. Practices eligible for cost share and the environmental score is calculated based upon ranking criteria developed with input from Local Work Groups (LWG), Stakeholders and the State Technical Advisory Committee (STAC).

2009 EQIP Information

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) applications can be submitted to NRCS Field Offices at any time during the year. However, a deadline for consideration of current year funding is required in order to make funding decisions. Due to the Due to the variety of funding opportunities and complexity of program options, NRCS is extending the application deadline for consideration in fiscal year 2009.

Currently, funding allocations and application deadlines for 2009 EQIP program initiatives are as follows:

2009 EQIP Initiative Descriptions

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California Regular EQIP Program 2009 (PDF; 138 KB)
California Animal Feeding Operation -Water Quality Initiative 2009 (PDF; 118 KB)
California Air Quality Enhancement Initiative 2009 (PDF; 98 KB)
California EQIP - Wildlife Initiative 2009 (PDF; 994 KB)
California Drought Response Initiative 2009 (PDF; 81 KB)
National Organic Initiative 2009 (PDF; 180 KB)

• California EQIP Conservation Activity Plans 2009 - New!

Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) (b) Air Quality Program 2009 - New!

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is assisting agricultural producers with reducing ozone precursors [oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)] and particulate matter [respirable (PM10) and fine (PM2.5)] emissions from agricultural sources through innovative air quality practices. Funding for this initiative is provided through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Innovation Grants (b) [CIG (b)] portion of the 2008 USDA Farm Bill. The priority is to improve existing, high polluting combustion systems and implement conservation practices that together result in significant emissions reductions. Applications must be submitted to an NRCS field office by June 26, 2009.

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Conservation Innovation Grants (b) Air Quality Program Description 2009 (PDF; 578 KB)

• CIG (b) Air Quality Program Fact Sheets
• CIG (b) Air Quality Supplemental Application Forms

EQIP Program and Applicant Eligibility

Eligible producers engaged in livestock or crop production on eligible land may apply for EQIP program benefits. Eligible land includes cropland; rangeland; grassland; pastureland; private non-industrial forestland; and other farm or ranchlands as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. Submittal of all applications, determination of eligibility and project evaluation is completed at the local NRCS field office level. Producers are advised to carefully review all program applicant and required eligibility information. Additional information can be found at Program Participant Eligibility.  Producers are strongly encouraged to contact their local NRCS and FSA offices to make sure all records are current and correct before submitting a program application. Producers who submit incomplete applications or whose farm records and certifications are not up to date will be deferred for current year program application.

Fact Sheets & General Information About EQIP

• Current EQIP Program Fact Sheets
• NRCS EQIP National Program Information (including Program, Contract and Funding Information)
• USDA Service Center eForms Web Site - for instructions and information

Form Needed for Sign Up

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Conservation Program Application and Appendix (PDF; 62 KB)

Contacts

Alan Forkey, Program Manager
Phone: 530-792-5653
Email: Alan.Forkey@ca.usda.gov

Roney Gutierrez, Program Specialist
Phone: 530-792-5649
Email: Roney.Gutierrez@ca.usda.gov

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