EQIP 2008 Contract Information for Individuals

NRCS accepts applications for all of our conservation programs throughout the year, but establishes funding periods to facilitate application review and contract development. Funding cycle for the EQIP program are timed so that contracts can be awarded to implement their practices within the first year of the contract. The current application period for EQIP will close on June 6, 2008. Applications received by that date will be considered for the 2009 program.

• Who Is Eligible?
• What Practices Can Be Funded?
• How Do I Apply?
• How Are Applications Evaluated?

Who Is Eligible?

Owners and operators of agricultural land in New Jersey may apply for assistance through EQIP.

What Practices Can Be Funded?

The 2008 Conservation EQIP Program Guidance for EQIP describes the conservation practices eligible for funding and the payment rates available in 2008. The guidance is also provided below.

How Do I Apply?

All interested applicants must comply with both persons and land eligibility requirements. The first document below, Applying for Federal Farm Conservation Programs, provides details on these basic eligibility requirements. The second document will help you supply basic information about your operation and your needs to help NRCS process your application in the most efficient manner. The remaining documents provide required information for establishing the appropriate applicant type and determining program eligibility.

The EQIP Final Rule states that for land to be considered for irrigation water management practices it has to have been irrigated two out of the last five years. In NJ, that documentation will consist of the following:

• Water use certificate and/or well or pumping plant permits issued by the State
• Presence of an operable irrigation system
• Irrigation water management plan documentation
• Written certification of the irrigation history and crops produced on the land, by year.

Please note: Applications for EQIP will be accepted by NRCS Service Centers at any time during the year.

How Are Applications Evaluated?

The applicant works with the local NRCS staff to determine, based on the approved conservation plan, which practices are to be included for program ranking.

Applications are ranked by answering a series of national, state-wide, and local questions, and by evaluating the cost-efficiency of the selected practices. National questions are the same in every state for the program. State-wide questions reflect important state-wide resource issues and are the same across New Jersey. Local questions differ based on the type of farm operation. In New Jersey we have established five types for ranking; beef and dairy livestock operations, other livestock operations, aquaculture operations, non-livestock operations, and limited resource and/or beginning farmers. Cost-efficiency is based on the practice installation cost, annual maintenance cost, practice lifespan, and benefits to multiple resource concerns.

Beef and Dairy Ranking Questions ( 12 kb)
Other Livestock Ranking Questions (12 kb)
Aquaculture Ranking Questions ( 14 kb)
Non-Livestock Ranking Questions ( 12 kb)
Limited Resources/Beginning Farmer Ranking Questions (12 kb)

If the applicant wishes to change the practices for which they are requesting financial assistance prior to the evaluation deadline, the application will be re-ranked. Once applications are selected for funding, no further changes will be allowed; however the applicant may withdraw from the program at any time prior to contract signature without penalty.

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Last Modified: May 27, 2008