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Program Guidance 2004 New Jersey EQIP Program

For the New Jersey Environmental Quality Incentives Program, a farmer can apply for cost-sharing and/or incentive payment assistance for any practice that will be included in the approved Conservation Plan for the farm. Each practice, however, can only contribute toward one incentive payment. Additionally, each practice must –

  1. meet the applicable FOTG Section IV Standard and Specification, and
  2. have a positive effect as shown in the FOTG Section V Conservation Practice Physical Effects worksheets for the identified resource concern, and
  3. support one or more of the following systems:
  1. Nutrient and Pest Management
  2. Prescribed Grazing Systems on Pastureland
  3. Erosion Control Systems (sheet & rill/gully & ephemeral)
  4. Permanent Vegetation Establishment
  5. Agricultural Chemical Handling Facility
  6. Animal Waste System
  7. Water Conservation System

Applicants who address two or more of the above systems will be eligible for cost share rates 15% higher than what is listed below. (example: 45% cost share rises to 60%; 60% cost share rises to 75%). Limited Resource and/or Beginning Farmers and Ranchers will be eligible for cost share rates 30% higher than what is listed below. (example: systems listed below at 45% cost share become 75% ; systems listed below at 60% cost share become 90%. 

Practice List and Cost Share Rates (coming soon)

1. Nutrient and Pest Management System

This system consists of implementing two practices on cropland, integrated pest management and nutrient management. Pest scouting, soil testing, and manure analysis (if applicable) are primary components. Drainage, if required for the control of phytophthera, is included. Nutrient Management is eligible as a stand-alone practice on any cropland. Pest Management is approved as a stand-alone practice only on land where a CNMP incentive payment for manure application is in effect.

Incentive payments are authorized at the following levels:

  • Nutrient Management on any cropland $ 10/acre
  • Pest Management on fruits and vegetables or sod $ 20/acre
  • Pest Management on grain or forage $ 14/acre
  • Pest Management on greenhouses $ 20 /acre 
     
  • Cost Share is authorized as follows:
    • Phytophthera control 45% (AA) 

2. Prescribed Grazing System on Pasturelands

Prescribed grazing consists of proper stocking rates, pasture rotation schedules, control of access to streams and other water bodies, watering facilities, proper vegetation selection and management, or other practice needed to meet the prescribed grazing standard.

Incentive payments are authorized at the following levels:

  • Prescribed Grazing System $ 25/acre 
  • Forage Harvest Management $ 25/acre
     
Cost Share is authorized as follows:
  • Required structural practices 60% (AA)  
  • Pasture and Hayland Planting 60% of FR (FR is $ 400/acre for this practice)

3. Erosion Control System

A. Sheet and Rill Erosion

Management practices that, in combination, control sheet and rill erosion to the tolerable level (T), or if T cannot be achieved, to reduce current erosion rates by 50% or greater. No component practice under this system will be authorized for payment as an individual practice.

Incentive payments are authorized at the following levels:

  • Management practices for sheet & rill erosion $ 10/acre
     
B. Gully and Ephemeral Erosion

Structural measures used to control gullies and ephemeral erosion problems on specific areas are independently eligible for cost-share.

Cost Share is authorized as follows:
  • Structural measures to control gullies 60% (AA) 

4. Permanent Vegetation Establishment

Vegetation (grass, shrubs, and/or trees) can be used to reduce wind damage to crops, decrease erosion from cropland, and increase diversity and wildlife habitat. Practices include vegetative barriers, wind breaks, conversion of cropland eroding at >=2T, vegetative filter strips, field borders, riparian buffers, and vegetative measures on eroding banks of ditches, streams, and water bodies. Any planned practice can be contracted.

  • Cost Share is authorized as follows:
    • 45% (AA) 

5. Agricultural Chemical Handling (ACH) facility

ACH facilities provide a safe location for agri-chemical mixing and loading. Storage may be included. Security and location of the facility are important considerations.

  • Cost Share is authorized as follows:
    • 45% (AA) 

6. Animal Waste System

Animal waste systems reduce pollution potential and can conserve more nutrients for land application and plant utilization. Includes storage and/or composting of livestock waste and livestock yards management needed to implement a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP).

Incentive payments are authorized at the following levels:

  • Implementation of a CNMP $ 10 /AU or $30/acres (Landowner discretion)
     
  • Cost Share is authorized as follows:
    • 60% (AA) 

7. Water Conservation System

Cost share is only available on lands that have been irrigated two out of the past five years for any of the following options.

A. Irrigation Water Management (IWM) – the proper application of irrigation water to match the crop need at various growth stages, and the soil infiltration and water holding capacities. Requires the development of an IWM plan, soil moisture monitoring, and water application record keeping.

Incentive payments are authorized at the following levels:

  • IWM on fruit, vegetables, nursery or sod $ 60/acre
  • IWM on other crops $ 40/acre
     
  • Cost Share is authorized as follows:
    • IWM hardware 60% (AA) 

B. Tailwater Recovery System – permanently installed system to collect, store and transport irrigation tailwater and designed to NRCS standards and specifications. Full IWM implementation is required.

  • Cost Share is authorized as follows:
    • 45% (AA) 

C. Irrigation System – Permanently installed upgrades to an existing irrigation system where system will be 80% efficient upon completion. Full IWM implementation is required for all systems. Cost share is authorized for required submersible pumps associated with these systems. Cost share is not available to develop or enhance water supplies.

  • Cost Share is authorized as follows:
    • 45% (AA) 
Definitions and notes:
AA : means the actual cost,  not to exceed the average cost.

FR : Flat Rate Cost Share

Practice length: Any practice receiving an incentive payment must be successfully implemented for three years.
 
Drainage: No drainage practice is eligible as a stand-alone practice under any system for the purpose of lowering the water table.

Limited Resource Farmer information

Beginning Farmer and Rancher information

 

Last Modified: May 27, 2008