# Apply for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

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

## How Do I Apply?

Have a resource concern you are ready to address or a management system you want to try? We are ready to help.  Applications for EQIP​ financial assistance are accepted throughout the year. Specific deadlines are set for ranking and funding opportunities within each state.  The best way to learn if EQIP is a good fit for you is by contacting your local NRCS office.  If you choose to move forward, your local NRCS conservationist will guide you through applying for the program.

Applications for conservation practices and systems that will result in greater environmental benefits for national, state, and/or local natural resource priorities will receive a higher score and higher priority to receive an offer for a financial assistance contract.

Once you have chosen the right conservation practices for your land, you may be offered an EQIP contract to receive financial assistance for the cost of implementing certain practices.  Payment rates for conservation practices are reviewed and set each fiscal year.

If you are an Historically Underserved Farmer or Rancher, you may be eligible for advance payments.

## Preparing Your Application

Applications will be accepted for all eligible lands and applicants.  Eligible land includes:
                    - Cropland and hayland
                    - Rangeland
                    - Pastureland
                    - Non-industrial private forestland
                    - Other farm or ranch lands
                    - Environmentally sensitive areas

Eligible applicants(s) include:
                    - Agricultural producers
                    - Owners of non-industrial private forestland
                    - Indian Tribes
                    - Those with an interest in the agricultural or forestry operations
                    - Water management entities

Farm records must indicate the applicant: Additionally, farm records must be established or updated with the Farm Service Agency for both the applicants and the land for your application to be eligible and evaluated. Farm records must indicate the applicant:
                    - Controls or owns eligible land;
                    - Meets  adjusted gross income (AGI) and payment limitation provisions ;
                    - Is in  compliance with highly erodible land and wetland conservation requirements
                    - If you are an Historically Underserved Farmer or Rancher, you may be eligible for the  advance payment option .

In addition to these requirements, approved participants, through consultation with NRCS​ conservation planners, must develop an EQIP plan of operations that addresses at least one natural resource concern.

**Note:** Additional restrictions and program requirements may apply. Contact your local office for information specific to your application.

## Evaluating Your Application

Once your application has been filed and both you and your land are determined to be eligible for EQIP, the local NRCS conservation planner will have a one-on-one consultation with you to evaluate the current condition of the natural resource conditions or concerns on your land.  An NRCS conservation planner will present you with a variety of conservation practices or systems to address your concerns or management goals while improving and protecting the natural resource condition of your land.

Assessments of conservation practices and activities that will result in greater environmental benefits for national, state, and/or local natural resource priorities will receive a higher score and higher priority to receive an offer for a financial assistance contract

Applications are ranked, and if yours is funded, NRCS will offer you an EQIP contract to receive financial assistance for the cost of implementing practices. Payment rates for conservation practices are reviewed and set each fiscal year. 

## 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.  

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##   Additional Documents

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) FactSheet

EQIP-Factsheet (2).pdf(1.2 MB)

##   Additional Information and Forms

###   EQIP​ Across the Nation 

Check out EQIP​ Across the Nation 

LINK

###   FY23 EQIP CPAs, DIAs, And CEMAs

What are CPAs, DIAs, and CEMAs?

See more

###   Download and complete the EQIP​ application form

eForms allows you to search for and complete forms requesting services from Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Conservation Service (NRCS), and Rural Development (RD). There are 2 ways to use the eForms site.

Link

###   EQIP Advance Payment Option

The EQIP advance payment option limits out-of-pocket conservation costs for historically underserved producers. 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.

Learn More

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.