The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting
applications from landowners in Guernsey and Noble counties for the
Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) until October 28, 2016
What is EQIP?
The Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) is a
voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to
landowners and agricultural producers to plan and implement conservation
practices that improve soil, water, plant, animal, air, and other related
natural resources. EQIP may also assist landowners with meeting Federal, State,
and Local environmental regulations.
Financial assistance payments through EQIP are made to eligible
landowners and producers on completed practices or activities identified in an
EQIP contract that meets NRCS Standards. Payment rates are set each fiscal year
and are attached to the EQIP contract when it is approved. Payment rates for
each Conservation Practice can be found at the Ohio NRCS Website. http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/oh/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=nrcseprd408863
EQIP includes
Conservation planning and financial assistance:
NRCS provides landowners and land managers with free
technical assistance, or advice for their land. Technical assistance includes:
Resource assessment, practice design and resource monitoring. Your conservation
planner will help you determine if and what financial assistance is right for
you. Dedicated EQIP funds are available for conservation practices targeting
On-Farm Energy, Organic Systems, High Tunnel Systems, Honeybee and other
wildlife habitat, as well as several landscape-based initiatives,
including: Livestock, Pasture, Cropland,
Forestry, and Wildlife categories.
Eligibility for financial assistance:
As part of the application process, we will check to see if
you are eligible. To be eligible you as a landowner, or land manager, will need
to bring an official tax ID to the USDA service center. Applicants will also
need a property deed or lease agreement that shows you have control of the
property. If USDA records are not already established, the applicant can
establish or update their records at the USDA service center. Other documents
may be necessary for the applicant to be eligible for funding. An eligibility
document checklist is available for applicants on the Ohio NRCS Website or at a
local USDA service center.
Competitive ranking
of applications:
Once a complete and valid application is submitted that is
supported by a conservation plan, NRCS will look at the applications and rank
them when the funding period opens. All applications are ranked based on
National, State, and Local resource concerns. The amount of conservation
benefits to the environment in supporting the conservation plan, and the needs
of the applicant are considered in the ranking process. Ranking questions are of
public record and can be found on the Ohio NRCS website.
Stop by the USDA Service Center at 1300 Clark St. Suite 10,
Cambridge, Ohio 43725. Or call Jay McElroy, District Conservationist at 740-432-5621
ext. 119 to discuss and see if EQIP is right for you.
