# Washington | Environmental Quality Incentives Program

Apply by:October 20, 2023

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-  Washington | 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.

## On This Page

            - Contact Information
            - How to Get Assistance

Available practices and practice standards vary by state.  Contact your local NRCS office to get started.

### EQIP provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers and forest landowners to address natural resource concerns, such as:

                - Improved water and air quality;
                - Conserved ground and surface water;
                - Increased soil health ;
                - Reduced soil erosion and sedimentation;
                - Improved or created wildlife habitat; and
                - Mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.

### How It Works

NRCS works one-on-one with producers to develop a conservation plan that outlines conservation practices and activities to help solve on-farm resource issues. Producers implement practices and activities in their conservation plan that can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving their agricultural operations. EQIP helps producers make conservation work for them. Financial assistance for practices may be available through EQIP.  Some producers may also qualify for advance payment.

### Benefits

Some of these benefits include:
                - Reduced contamination from agricultural sources, such as animal feeding operations.
                - Efficient use of nutrients, reducing input costs and reduction in nonpoint source pollution.
                - Improved soil health, which mitigates against increasing weather volatility, improves drought resiliency and can positively affect climate change.
                - Implementation of climate-smart practices that improve carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while building resilient landscapes.

### Conservation at Work Videos

Watch how farmers and ranchers across the country are implementing EQIP practices and other conservation activities in our Conservation at Work video series. For example, see how producers are using the nutrient management conservation practice to improve water quality by more effectively using nutrients.

### EQIP Initiatives

Targeted EQIP financial assistance is available through several conservation initiatives. See which initiative is available in your state.
                - High Tunnel Initiative
                - Organic Initiative
                - Air Quality Initiative
                - Landscape Conservation Initiative
                - On-Farm Energy Initiative
                - Colorado River Basin Salinity Project

EQIP offers grant opportunities through Conservation Innovation Grants, which awards competitive grants that stimulate the development and adoption of innovative approaches and technologies for conservation on agricultural lands.

### Technical Assistance

NRCS offers technical assistance at no cost. Producers can use our personalized advice and information, based on the latest science and research, to make informed decisions about their land.

Technical Service Providers (TSP) can help producers plan, design and implement conservation practices or develop conservation activity plans to improve their agricultural operations. For more information on the Technical Service Provider program, visit the TSP page.

Technical assistance is also offered through our Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA) program.

Need a local Technical Service Provider? Visit the locate a TSP page.

### How To Get Started

The first step is to contact your local NRCS office. An NRCS conservation planner will schedule a visit to your property. They will walk the land with you to discuss your goals and review any resource concerns. Following the site visit, the conservation planner will develop a conservation plan that includes a variety of conservation practices or activities to address the resource concerns and management goals discussed.

Applications for NRCS conservation programs are accepted on a continuous basis; however, customers should apply by state-specific ranking dates to be considered for the current funding cycle.
                - Find application ranking dates for your state.
                - See payment schedules for your state.
                - See application.

To learn more about EQIP, contact your local NRCS office.

### Fact Sheets

EQIP fact sheet(425.04 KB)

Conservation Incentive Contracts(1.18 MB)

EQIP Data, 2009 - Present

NRCS program data are housed on the Resource Conservation Assessment Data Viewer. EQIP data for FY2009 to the present are available on the EQIP data page. Fiscal year 2014 - 2021 financial assistance data related to EQIP and other NRCS programs are available on farmers.gov.

##   Related Pages

### EQIP CPAs, DIAs, and CEMAs

Learn about EQIP Conservation Planning Activities (CPAs), Design and Implementation Activities (DIAs), and Conservation Evaluation and Monitoring Activities (CEMAs).

Environmental Quality Incentives Program

### Technical Service Providers

Technical service providers (TSPs) work on behalf of the customer to offer planning, design, and implementation services that meets NRCS criteria.  This assistance helps improve the producer's operation and addresses resource concerns on their land. 

## Washington EQIP FY24 Payment Schedule HERE

## Organic Transition Initiative

The application batching deadline for the FY23 Organic Transition Initiative is June 1, 2023. This funding helps support producers transitioning to organic production by providing financial assistance (FA) and technical assistance (TA) to farmers choosing to implement a new organic management standard. For more information check out the article here or the OTI page.

## State EQIP Initiatives

### **Statewide Buffer**

NRCS assists applicants with installing buffers along streams and waterbodies to reduce sediment, pollutants, and decrease stream temperatures. Check out the FY2023 Riparian Buffer Program fact sheet for more information.  

### **Washington's Disaster Initiative**

NRCS is working with applicants that have been impacted by flooding or wildfire on their property. Producers statewide who were impacted by wildfires will be eligible to rest their burnt grazing land for one year. Producers affected by flooding in the Nooksack and Skagit river watersheds will be eligible for assistance in repairing damage from flooding.

### **Limited Resources Farmer or Rancher (LRFR)**

NRCS assists private landowners with the implementation of conservation practices on all land uses within Washington State that qualify as a LRFR
              - Individual producer:                 - A person with direct or indirect gross farm sales not more than the current indexed value in each of the previous 2 fiscal years (adjusted for inflation using Prices Paid by Farmer Index as compiled by National Agricultural Statistical Service), and
                - Has 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 2 years (to be determined annually using Commerce Department Data); or

A legal entity or joint operation if all individual members independently qualify under paragraph (1) of this definition.

### **Urban Agriculture**

Urban agriculture pioneers are taking action in their communities, growing not only fresh, healthy produce, but also providing jobs, beautifying their neighborhoods, and offering access to fresh, healthy food in areas where grocery stores are sparse.

As American agriculture continues to grow in new directions, NRCS conservation assistance is growing along with it. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance for assistance for urban growers in areas such as:

• Soil Health• *Irrigation and Water Conservation*• *Weeds and Pests*• *High Tunnels.* NRCS can provide financial assistance for high tunnels, used to extend the growing season and to protect plants from harsh weather, air pollution and pests. By making local produce available for more months in the year, fewer resources are used to transport food to plates.

### **Statewide Wildlife (Aquatic)**

Financial and technical assistance is available to support implementation of habitat restoration and enhancement projects that will benefit one or more of the following: Salmon & Steelhead or Native Olympia Oyster. Applications for projects that remove barriers for fish and other aquatic species, restore stream side riparian habitat, restore habitat in streams, rivers, and wetlands, improve floodplain habitat, and increase intertidal substrate resources for native oyster will be prioritized for funding.

### **Statewide Wildlife (Terrestrial)**

Financial and technical assistance is available to support implementation of habitat restoration and enhancement projects that will benefit one or more of the following: Threatened and Endangered Wildlife (State and Federally listed), Pollinators (emphasis on Monarch Butterfly), and Wildlife Corridors. Applications for projects that improve quantity and quality of forage and cover, improve habitat connectivity, and restore habitat for sensitive species will be prioritized for funding.

### **Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI)**

NRCS developed the Sage-grouse Initiative to help private landowners voluntarily conserve sage-grouse populations and habitat on their working lands. In Washington, NRCS identified potential threats to sage grouse and their habitat and determined specific conservation practices to reduce those threats. Technical and financial assistance through EQIP is available for implementing the specific practices.

### **CNMP Initiative**

NRCS assists private landowners with the implementation of their previously developed Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP)

### **Statewide Forestry**

NRCS assists private landowners with the implementation of their previously developed and approved Forest Management Plan (FMP)

### **Statewide Irrigation**

NRCS assists private landowners with implementation of irrigation conservation practices that improve watering efficiency.

### **Statewide Cropland**

NRCS assists private landowners with the implementation of conservation practices that reduce or eliminate Ephemeral Gully and/or Wind Erosion.

### **Statewide Soil Health**

NRCS assists private landowners with the implementation of conservation practices that improve soil health**.**

### **Sentinel Lands**

NRCS, working with other State and Federal partners, have identified areas where focused conservation can affect Threatened and Endangered species habitat near Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM).

### **Beginning Farmer or Rancher**

NRCS assists private landowners with the implementation of conservation practices on all landuses within Washington State that qualify as a Beginning Farmer or Rancher.

The term “Beginning Farmer or Rancher” means a participant 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 a legal entity, and who
              - 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 made with a legal entity, all members must materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm or ranch. Material and substantial participation requires that the members provide some amount of the management, or labor and management necessary for day-to-day activities, such that if the members did not provide these inputs, operation of the farm or ranch would be seriously impaired. 

### **Socially Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher**

NRCS assists private landowners with the implementation of conservation practices on all land uses within Washington State that qualify as Socially Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher.

The term “Socially Disadvantaged” means an individual or entity who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group. For an entity, at least 50 percent ownership in the farm business must be held by socially disadvantaged individuals. A socially disadvantaged group is a group whose members have been subject to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities.

These groups consist of the following:
              - American Indians or Alaskan Natives
              - Asians
              - Blacks or African Americans
              - Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders
              - Hispanics

Note: Gender alone is not a covered group for the purposes of NRCS conservation programs. The term entities reflect a broad interpretation to include partnerships, couples, legal entities, etc.

### **Statewide Tribal Local Working Group**

NRCS assists Tribes with the implementation of conservation practices for identified Plant/Animal/Aquatic species of cultural importance to each Tribe.

##   IRA-EQIP Documents and Forms

IRA Addendum to Appendix to Form NRCS-CPA-1202(2.04 MB)

IRA Addendum to Appendix to Form NRCS-CPA-1202 (Chinese)(165.86 KB)

IRA Addendum to Appendix to Form NRCS-CPA-1202 (Vietnamese)(330 KB)

NRCS-CPA- 1202 Appendix - EQIP-Chinese(253.94 KB)

NRCS-CPA- 1202 Appendix - EQIP-Spanish(262.22 KB)

NRCS-CPA- 1202 Appendix - EQIP-Vietnamese(370.4 KB)

##   Washington's Disaster Initiative

NRCS is working with applicants that have been impacted by flooding or wildfire on their property. Producers statewide who were impacted by wildfires will be eligible to rest their burnt grazing land for one year. Producers affected by flooding in the Nooksack and Skagit river watersheds will be eligible for assistance in repairing damage from flooding.

NRCS-WA FY24 Fire Recovery Areas Map(1.01 MB)

##   FY24 Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry (CSAF) Mitigation Activities List

NRCS-CSAF-Mitigation-Activities-List(1.31 MB)

## Conservation Incentive Contracts

Incentive contracts are an option available through EQIP that offers producers financial assistance to adopt conservation management practices on working landscapes. Producers may use incentive contracts as a “steppingstone” from correcting resource issues on specific land units through EQIP to achieving sustainable stewardship on their entire operation. Conservation Incentive Contracts are available nationwide and help producers address priority resource concerns, like sequestering carbon and improving water quality in high-priority areas. Incentive contracts now offers new conservation evaluation and monitoring activities (CEMA) to help report outcomes of practices.

Download the Fact Sheet

##   State EQIP Initiatives Documents

FY23 NRCS-WA Riparian Buffer Program(898.88 KB)

Native Olympia Oyster Fact Sheet(608.33 KB)

Salmon and Steelhead Recovery Fact Sheet(810.31 KB)

Sentinel Lands area map(6.1 MB)

SGI Priority Areas Map(486.58 KB)

##   FY24 Act Now Ranking Reports

FY24 Act Now FB CPA-DIA-CEMA(194.53 KB)

FY24 Act Now FB Statewide Covered Cropping Systems(113.57 KB)

FY24 Act Now IRA Snake River Team - Forestry(127.98 KB)

FY24 Act Now IRA LWG Snake River Team - Nutrient(114.66 KB)

FY24 Act Now IRA North Central Team - Forestry(57.03 KB)

##   EQIP WaterSMART Initiative Documents

NRCS’s EQIP WaterSMART Initiative (WSI) is a collaboration with the Bureau of Reclamation to coordinate investments in priority areas for improving water conservation and drought resilience.

WaterSMART Participating Districts Boundary Map(3.42 MB)

EL86.4 Watersmart location map(307.85 KB)

##   National Water Quality Initiative Documents

As USDA’s premiere water quality initiative, National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) provides a way to accelerate voluntary, on-farm conservation investments and focused water quality monitoring and assessment resources where they can deliver the greatest benefits for clean water.

NRCS-WA NWQI Priority Areas Map(5.94 MB)

##   FY24 Statewide Pools & Ranking Reports

FY24 FB CIC Ground Water HPA(135.46 KB)

FY24 FB EQIP CIC Wind Erosion(135.12 KB)

FY24 FB LWG Northcentral Team Irrigation(232.55 KB)

FY24 FB LWG Northcentral Team Not Forested Wildfire(229.15 KB)

FY24 FB LWG Northeast Team Irrigation(227.65 KB)

FY24 FB LWG Northeast Team Range and Pasture(223.64 KB)

FY24 FB LWG Northwest Team Plants Pollutants Terrestrial(233.37 KB)

FY24 FB LWG Northwest Team Water(242.9 KB)

FY24 FB LWG Palouse Team Crop(223.99 KB)

FY24 FB LWG Palouse Team Range(227.12 KB)

FY24 FB LWG Puget Sound Habitat Degraded Pland Condition(246.48 KB)

FY24 FB LWG PUGET SOUND WQ & Soil(237.98 KB)

FY24 FB LWG Snake River Team Grazing(134.8 KB)

FY24 FB LWG Southcentral Team Irrigation(231.1 KB)

FY24 FB LWG Southcentral Team Range and Pasture(239.11 KB)

FY24 FB LWG Southwest Team Cropland(69.71 KB)

FY24 FB LWG Southwest Team Water Quality and Upland Habitat(230.8 KB)

FY24 FB National Air Quality Ranking Pool Report(156.42 KB)

FY24 FB Olympia Oyster Restoration Initiative Ranking Pool Report(112.68 KB)

FY24 FB Sentinal Lands Ranking Pool Report(148.47 KB)

FY24 FB Statewide Beginning Farmer Rancher Ranking Pool Report(287.72 KB)

FY24 FB Statewide Irrigation Ranking Pool Report(181.69 KB)

FY24 FB Statewide Limited Resource Farmer Rancher Ranking Pool Report(287.77 KB)

FY24 FB Statewide Organic(250.27 KB)

FY24 FB Statewide Socially Disadvantaged Farmer Rancher Ranking Pool Report(287.78 KB)

FY24 FB Statewide Wildlife Terrestrial Ranking Pool Report(159.08 KB)

FY24 FB Statewide Wildlife Aquatic Ranking Pool Report(178.76 KB)

FY24 FB Urban Ag Ranking Pool Report(234.5 KB)

FY24 FB WA Tribal Animal Aquatic Species of Importance Ranking Pool Report(232.9 KB)

FY24 FB WA Tribal Identified Plant Species of Importance Ranking Pool Report(233.94 KB)

FY24 FB WaterSmart KRD Ranking Report(143.74 KB)

FY24 FB WaterSmart QCBID Ranking Report(143.42 KB)

FY24 IRA CNMP Implementation Ranking Pool Report(141.88 KB)

FY24 IRA LWG Colville Tribe Forestry(120.31 KB)

FY24 IRA Statewide Forestry Ranking Report(126.95 KB)

FY24 IRA Statewide Riparian Buffer Ranking Pool Report(142.45 KB)

FY24 IRA Statewide Soil Health Ranking Pool Report(151.47 KB)

FY24 FB Organic Transition Initiative(OTI)(141.79 KB)

FY24 FB Statewide Wildfire Recovery ranking pool(140.28 KB)

FY24 IRA LWG Northcentral Team Grazing(130.17 KB)

FY24 IRA LWG Northcentral Team Soil Health ranking pool(130.91 KB)

FY24 IRA LWG Northcentral Team Wildlife(134.81 KB)

FY24 IRA LWG Puget Sound Team Forestry ranking pool(120.66 KB)

FY24 IRA Statewide Grazing ranking pool(133.69 KB)

FY24 FB CIC Statewide Forestry(117.91 KB)

FY24 FB LWG BBT(231.44 KB)

FY24 IRA LWG Northcentral Non Conventional(140.29 KB)

FY24 IRA LWG Northcentral Team Grazing(130.17 KB)

FY24 IRA LWG Puget Sound Team Forestry(120.66 KB)

FY24 FB EL 86.4 WaterSmart OGWRP(134.9 KB)

FY24 FB NWQI Crab Creek(164.37 KB)

FY24 FB NWQI Spring Creek Union Flats(163.49 KB)

FY24 IRA Statewide Cropland(129.7 KB)

FY24 FB NWQI Mill Creek(164.54 KB)

FY24 FB LWG West Palouse SOM(226.93 KB)

FY24 IRA Southwest Team Forestry(118.86 KB)

FY24 IRA Statewide On Farm Energy(134.93 KB)

FY24 FB Statewide Internal Combustion Engine Replacement ranking report(118.7 KB)

FY24 FB WLFW Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI)(150.58 KB)

## Program Payments and Payment Rates

**Practice Payment Schedule**

NRCS provides financial assistance for selected conservation practices. Download the Washington payment schedules to see which activities qualify, and how much financial assistance is available. Practice scenarios show examples of how financial assistance payments are calculated.

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**Program Contact**Joyce Trevithick, Program LiaisonNatural Resources Conservation ServicePhone:509-717-3260Email: joyce.trevithick@usda.gov

##   Additional Information

### 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

### 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 (“historically underserved producers”).
Learn More

### Farm Bill

The 2018 Farm Bill was enacted on December 20, 2018. The Farm Bill continues its strong support for conservation efforts of America’s farmers and ranchers through reauthorization and expanded flexibility of NRCS conservation programs. 
Learn More

## Ready to get started?

Contact your local service center to start your application.

## 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.  

##   How to Get Assistance

**Do you farm or ranch and want to make improvements to the land that you own or lease?**

Natural Resources Conservation Service offers technical and financial assistance to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.

**Print this information

###         Step 1: Make a Plan    

**To get started with NRCS, we recommend you stop by your local NRCS field office. We’ll discuss your vision for your land.**

NRCS provides landowners with free technical assistance, or advice, for their land. Common technical assistance includes: resource assessment, practice design and resource monitoring. Your conservation planner will help you determine if financial assistance is right for you.

###         Step 2: Start an Application    

**We’ll walk you through the application process. To get started on applying for financial assistance, we’ll work with you:**
                        - To fill out an AD 1026, which ensures a conservation plan is in place before lands with highly erodible soils are farmed. It also ensures that identified wetland areas are protected.
                        - To meet other eligibility certifications.

Once complete, we’ll work with you on the application, or CPA 1200.

Applications for most programs are accepted on a continuous basis, but they’re considered for funding in different ranking periods. Be sure to ask your local NRCS district conservationist about the deadline for the ranking period to ensure you turn in your application in time.

###         Step 3: Check your eligibility    

**As part of the application process, we’ll check to see if you are eligible. To do this, you’ll need to bring:**
                        - An official tax ID (Social Security number or an employer ID)
                        - A property deed or lease agreement to show you have control of the property; and
                        - A farm number.

If you don’t have a farm number, you can get one from USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Typically, the local FSA office is located in the same building as the local NRCS office. You only need a farm number if you’re interested in financial assistance.

###         Step 4: Rank your application    

**NRCS will take a look at the applications and rank them** according to local resource concerns, the amount of conservation benefits the work will provide and the needs of applicants. View Application Ranking Dates by State.

###         Step 5: Implement your plan    

**If you’re selected, you can choose whether to sign the contract for the work to be done.**

Once you sign the contract, you’ll be provided standards and specifications for completing the practice or practices, and then you will have a specified amount of time to implement. Once the work is implemented and inspected, you’ll be paid the rate of compensation for the work if it meets NRCS standards and specifications.

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## Related Resources

### Guides and Instructions

### Data and Reports

View All Resources

### Guides and Instructions

                      - EQIP Fact Sheet 
                      - EQIP Advance Payment Option 

View All Guides and Instructions

### Data and Reports

                      - RCA Data Viewer 

View All Data and Reports