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EQIP Contract Information

NRCS accepts applications for all of our conservation programs throughout the year, but establishes funding periods to facilitate application review and contract development. The funding cycle for the EQIP program is timed so that practices can be implemented 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.

Individuals with 2008 contracts should refer to 2008 Contract Information.

Who Is Eligible?

Owners and operators of agricultural land in New Jersey may apply for assistance through EQIP. To participate, landowners must own or have control of the land under consideration. The land must be eligible to receive farmland tax assessment rates. Land is not eligible for EQIP if it is currently enrolled in another USDA Farm Bill conservation program such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) or the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP). Land is also ineligible if it is used for mitigation or if the land is owned by the federal government.

Documents on this page require icon for Adobe Acrobat filesAdobe Acrobat.

icon for Adobe Acrobat filesApplying for Federal Farm Conservation Programs (54 kb) - Basic requirements for eligibility of land and applicant. 

What Practices Can Be Funded?

The 2009 EQIP Program Guidance describes the conservation practices eligible for funding in 2009. Program payment rates are provided separately in the 2009 Payment Schedule.

The following documents require Adobe Acrobat.

Adobe Acrobat Document2009 Conservation Program Guidance (65 kb)  - Download the Adobe Acrobat file or link to Program Guidance for 2009. NEW

Adobe Acrobat Document2009 EQIP Payment Schedule (51kb) – Provides payment rates for all eligible practices under the 2009 program - coming soon

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 New Jersey, 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.
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEngine Replacement for Irrigation Pumps (184 kb) – Purchase of new diesel engines for pumping irrigation water.

How Do I Apply?

Applications for EQIP will be accepted by NRCS Service Centers at any time during the year. You may download and complete the application materials below. Applications should be submitted to your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office either in person or by mail. For more information on EQIP priority categories and benefits, contact your local NRCS Service Center.

Adobe Acrobat DocumentConservation Planning Worksheet (35 kb) - for land-based agricultural production

Adobe Acrobat DocumentEQIP Application (NRCS-CPA 1200 with appendix) (29 kb)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEspañol:2007 EQIP Application (SOLICITUD PARA EL PROGRAMA DE CONSERVACIÓN) (NRCS-CPA-1200 with appendix) (43 kb) revised version coming soon

Adobe Acrobat DocumentHighly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification (AD-1026) (163 KB)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEspañol: Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification (AD-1026) (163 KB)

Adobe Acrobat DocumentAverage Adjusted Gross Income Certification  (CCC-526) (152 kb)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEspañol: IDONEIDAD DE PAGO CERTIFICACIÓN DEL INGRESO BRUTO AJUSTADO PROMEDIO (Adjusted Gross Income Certification) (CCC-526) (153 kb)

Adobe Acrobat DocumentMember’s Information (CCC-501A) (4310 kb) (Required when the applicant is not an individual)
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEspañol: Member’s Information (CCC501A) (4310 kb)

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

How Are Applications Evaluated?

Once an application period closes, 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. New Jersey has established four types of ranking; beef and dairy livestock operations, other livestock 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.

Adobe Acrobat DocumentBeef and Dairy Ranking Questions ( 12 kb) NEW
Adobe Acrobat DocumentOther Livestock Ranking Questions (12 kb) NEW
 Adobe Acrobat DocumentNon-Livestock Ranking Questions ( 12 kb) NEW
Adobe Acrobat DocumentLimited Resources/Beginning Farmer Ranking Questions (12 kb) NEW

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 06, 2008