Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

Last Modified: 06/16/2009

Farm and forestry activities in New Hampshire are good for our state, our health, and our economy. When properly planned and managed, they are also good for our natural resources.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program. It supports production agriculture and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through EQIP, farmers may receive financial and technical help with structural and management conservation practices on agricultural land.

EQIP in New Hampshire offers financial assistance to help off-set the costs of eligible conservation practices. Incentive payments may also be made to encourage a farmer to adopt land management practices, such as nutrient management, manure management, integrated pest management, or wildlife habitat management. 

Program Overview

EQIP Special Initiatives

Conservation Activity Plans 
Air Quality Initiative
Organic Initiative

Eligibility

EQIP offers contracts with a minimum term that ends one year after the implementation of the last scheduled practices and a maximum term of ten years. These contracts provide financial assistance to implement conservation practices. Owners of land in agricultural production or persons who are engaged in livestock or agricultural production on eligible land may participate in the EQIP program. Program practices and activities are carried out according to an EQIP program plan of operations developed in conjunction with the producer that identifies the appropriate conservation practice or measures needed to address the resource concerns. The practices are subject to NRCS technical standards adapted for local conditions.

EQIP provides payments up to 75 percent of the incurred costs and income foregone of certain conservation practices and activities. However certain historically underserved producers (Limited resource farmers/ranchers, beginning farmers/ranchers, socially disadvantaged producers) may be eligible for payments up to 90 percent of the estimated incurred costs and income foregone. Farmers and ranchers may elect to use a certified Technical Service Provider (TSP) for technical assistance needed for certain eligible activities and services. The new Farm Bill established a new payment limitation for individuals or legal entity participants who may not receive, directly or indirectly, payments that, in the aggregate, exceed $300,000 for all program contracts entered during any six year period. Projects determined as having special environmental significance may, with approval of the NRCS Chief, have the payment limitation raised to a maximum of $450,000.

FY 2009 Documents

The following are the latest documents for the Fiscal Year 2009 EQIP.  They require Adobe Acrobat.

2009 EQIP Payment Schedule
2009 EQIP Final Practice List

Practice Lists, Cost-Share Rates, and Ranking Criteria for Historically Underserved Producers

Beginning, socially disadvantaged and limited-resource farmers may be eligible for higher payment rates. Click on the links to find out if you are eligible.

The following are the latest documents for the Fiscal Year 2009 EQIP. They require Adobe Acrobat.

2009 EQIP Payment Schedule for Historically Underserved Producers
2009 EQIP Final Practice List

For EQIP documents from previous years, click here.

Local Input

Local input through the State Technical Committee and local work groups help define EQIP resource concerns. Local Work Groups can be established on a county or multi-county basis, with meetings convened by the local county Conservation Districts.  Local Work Groups are an example of locally-led conservation.

The Local Work Group may advise NRCS on a number of EQIP issues including the identification of resource concerns and public outreach and information efforts.  The Local Work Group ensures that a conservation needs assessment is developed using community stakeholders input.  The assessment process helps the Local Work Group identify resource concerns, recommend practices, priorities, payment rates, cost share levels, and funding needs.  Find out about your Local Work Group by contacting your county conservation district.    

To find out more about EQIP and other conservation programs, visit your local USDA Service Center and talk with someone from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, or your local Conservation District.  For office locations, click here.

For More Information

National EQIP Web Site
Find your local NRCS Office

NH EQIP Contact

Jim Spielman, Resource Conservationist
(603) 868-7581

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