# EQIP Advance Payment Option

## Breadcrumb

-  Home 
-  Resources 
-  EQIP Advance Payment Option 

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) advance payment option limits out-of-pocket conservation costs for historically underserved producers.

Under the general EQIP payment process, a producer is reimbursed after a conservation practice is implemented. The option provides at least 50 percent of the contracted payment for each conservation practice up front, before the practice is implemented, to purchase materials or contract services.  The advance payment must be expended within 90 days of receipt, and the practice completed as agreed to on the EQIP plan of operations. This process often means that producers must pay up front costs with their own funds, which can be cost prohibitive for many historically underserved producers.

## **Who is Eligible?**

**Historically Underserved Producers:**
              - Beginning Farmer or Rancher  – is someone who has never operated a farm or ranch, or, has operated a farm or ranch for less than 10-consecutive years.
              - Socially Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher  – is a member of a group whose members have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as members of that group without regard to their individual qualities.
              - Veteran Farmer or Rancher  – has served in the armed forces and has not operated a farm or ranch, has operated a farm or ranch for less than 10-consecutive years, or first obtained veteran status during the last 10 years.
              - Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher  –  has a household income at or below the national poverty level. Eligibility can be determined by using the  Limited Resource Farmer or Rancher Tool .

## **How It Works**

All EQIP practices are eligible for advance payments, including vegetative, structural, and management practices. Producers can use the option for as many or as few practices as they choose and have the right to change their decision before they receive payment. Historically underserved producers are also eligible for a higher payment rate.
                    - Important Note: Any funds not expended within 90 days of receipt must be returned to  NRCS**.** Therefore, participants should make sure that the advance payment is for an immediate need, and that the design or job sheet, as well as any additional funding needed to purchase materials, is ready and available before requesting the funds.

*Example*: A beginning farmer applies for and is approved for an EQIP contract to plant cover crops on 40 acres of land. If the payment rate for implementation of a cover crop practice is $56.81 per acre. multiplying that rate by 40 acres, the total payment that beginning farmer would receive for planting cover crops through EQIP would be $2,272.40. Under the Advance Payment option, with an advance payment rate of 50%, that beginning farmer would be eligible to receive $1,136.20 in advance of implementing the practice, thus making it possible to offset some of the up-front costs such as purchasing the seed. The beginning farmer would then receive the remaining payment upon completing the cover crop practice.

## **How to Apply**

EQIP applications are accepted on a continuous basis and contracts awarded through a competitive process. Historically underserved producers who are approved for an EQIP contract may elect to receive advance payments on form NRCS-CPA-1155 “Conservation Plan of Operation.” Producers with EQIP contracts who are ready to purchase materials or to contract services may request the advance payment by contacting their NRCS office.

EQIP participants, including historically underserved producers, may also choose the “vendor direct deposit,” for which NRCS pays the vendor or contractor directly.

The Farm Service Agency offers conservation loans to farmers and ranchers who need assistance with out of pocket conservation costs.

##   Additional Documents

NRCS-EQIP_AdvancePayment_FarmBill2018_Factsheet (1).pdf(937.84 KB)

##   Additional Information

Apply for EQIP

### Apply for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers.
Learn More

###   Advance Payment Helps Extend the Season blog

This Friday meet Alisha Utter and Kyle Bowley, of Arbor Farmstead in Grand Isle, Vermont. The seven-acre veganic farm grows diversified perennial fruit alongside restorative woodland.

Learn More 

----

##   Related Pages

Environmental Quality Incentives Program
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is NRCS’ flagship conservation program that helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners integrate conservation into working lands.

Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) includes provisions that address the unique circumstances and concerns of socially disadvantaged, beginning, limited resource, and veteran farmers and ranchers (“histor...

----

## Find Your Local Service Center

    USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to find your local service center and agency offices. If this locator does not work in your browser, please visit offices.usda.gov.