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FY08 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) - Arizona

Updated 11/02/2007

EQIP Overview

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program that helps agricultural producers in a manner that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through EQIP, farmers and ranchers receive financial and technical assistance to implement structural and management conservation practices that optimize environmental benefits on working agricultural land. EQIP is re-authorized through the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill).

Accepting applications

EQIP applications are accepted through a continuous sign-up process. NRCS-Arizona periodically announces cutoff dates when applications are ranked for funding. Applications received by Oct. 1, 2007 will be considered in a ranking period ending Nov. 30, 2007. NRCS-Arizona encourages customers to apply at any time, and additional ranking periods will be announced.

Increased Cost-Share

For Fiscal Year 2008, EQIP will fund 75 percent of the costs of eligible conservation practices. Practices that meet the limited resource and beginning farmers criteria can be funded for 90 percent of their project.
 

Environmental and Operational Benefits

EQIP can provide financial and technical assistance to plan and design such measures as:

  • Irrigation and water management, including such items as:  efficient irrigation upgrades, irrigation scheduling, tailwater recovery systems, etc.
  • Grazing management:  fencing, stockwater systems, range and pasture planting, etc.
  • Nutrient management:  manure storage structures, planned nutrient applications, soil testing, etc.
  • Pest management:  crop and pest monitoring activities, planned pesticide applications, etc.
  • Erosion control:  grade control structures, diversions, water and sediment control basins,
  • Wildlife habitat enhancement: stream buffers, fish screens, fish passage, upland wildlife habitat establishment, etc.

These and the many other measures included in EQIP can help producers accomplish a variety of operational goals, which may include:

  • Improvements to the long-term productivity and sustainability of an agricultural operation;
  • Improved condition of crops and forage for livestock;
  • Reduced costs for fuel, labor, fertilizers and pesticides;
  • Energy efficient systems and field operations; and
  • Compliance with regulatory requirements.

How EQIP Works
Arizona Supplement to the Conservation Program Manual (Irrigation Documentation)
Arizona Contract Development

2008 EQIP Conservation Practices and NRCS-AZ Allocation Area Map

Ranking Criteria
Statewide Payment Schedule
EQIP Allocation Area Map

More Information:

Please contact your local USDA Service Center for more information or
 Sherman Reed, Farm Bill Specialist, (602) 280-8829
 

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