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Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in New Jersey

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program for persons who are engaged in livestock, forestry or agricultural production, including organic production. EQIP offers financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices on eligible agricultural land.

Decisions related to how a crop is produced can effect the environment, and vice versa. The EQIP program provides payments for implementing conservation practices that have a positive environmental impact, while protecting long term agricultural production and sustainability. NRCS professionals work with producers to develop a conservation plan for their operation, design conservation practices, and provide guidance to help implement the plan.

Documents on this page require Adobe Acrobat.
2009 EQIP Fact Sheet (164 kb)
2009 Program Details (29 kb)
Applying for Financial Assistance (67 kb)

Application Documents
2009 Organic Initiative

What Practices Can Receive Funding?

EQIP is designed to implement conservation practices that address existing resource concerns on farms in order to improve environmental quality both on and off the farm. The resource concerns addressed through EQIP include soil quality, soil erosion, water quality, water quantity, air quality, and animal and plant species of concern. NRCS, with input from the State Technical Committee, determines the eligible practices that address the state and local resource concerns.

What are the Payment Rates and Terms?

Program payment rates in New Jersey are calculated at between 45 and 75% of the typical cost of implementing the practice, as determined by the resource concern being addressed. When the applicant is a beginning farmer, socially disadvantaged or limited resource producer, the rates are 25% higher, up to a maximum of 90%. Payments are made after conservation practices are implemented to the standards agreed to in advance.

Contracts are subject to payment limitations. No applicant may receive more than $300,000 during any six-year period. Organic farms have different limitations; $80,000 during any six-year period with an annual limit of $20,000.

What is the Contract Period?

EQIP offers contracts with a minimum term that ends one year after the implementation of the last scheduled practice and a maximum term of ten years. These contracts provide pre-determined program payments to the producer for the implementation of the planned practices according to a schedule developed in conjunction with the producer. The schedule lists the conservation practice extent (amount), date to be installed, and payment. The practices are subject to NRCS technical standards adapted for local conditions. Any deviation from the contract schedule is considered a contract violation unless approved in advance.

How Does Signup for EQIP Work?

Applications can be submitted anytime during the year. A signed application filed with the local NRCS office indicates an interest in developing a conservation plan as the first step in the application process. A contract offer is developed during the annual ranking period. The final offer approved by the applicant is based on the conservation plan, and is ranked on how well the proposed practices meet national, state, and local environmental objectives, as well as their cost-efficiency.

What are the Applicant Qualifications?

Applicants must have an interest in an agricultural operation, and be compliant with the conservation provisions of the 2008 farm bill with current crop and producer records on file with USDA’s Farm Service Agency. They must own or control the land, and agree to implement conservation practices according to the contract schedule.

The 2008 Farm Bill has these NEW provisions!

Special emphasis for organic operations and those transitioning to organic!
- New Jersey has set aside 12% of our EQIP funds for applicants with an approved organic transition plan and for certified organic operations to implement improved practices.
Forestry operations qualify for practices that address soil, water quality or wildlife concerns!
- New Jersey has made several practices available to forestry operators, such as Brush Management, Tree & Shrub Site Preparation, Forestry Stand Improvement, Fire Break, Prescribed Burning, and Streambank Stabilization.
Socially disadvantaged producers receive increased payment rates, along with limited resource farmers and beginning farmers!
- These historically underserved producers receive payment rates 25% higher, up to 90% of the estimated cost.
Special funds available to reduce air quality emissions and energy consumption!
- New Jersey has identified the following practices as having a positive impact on air quality. Producers who wish to install any of these practices will enter into contracts specifically for these practices only. Producers may also implement additional practices under a separate EQIP contract if selected for funding.
- Atmospheric Resource Quality Management, Conservation Cover, Cover and Green Manure Crop, Field Border, Filter Strip, Irrigation System – Microirrigation or Sprinkler, Irrigation Water Management, No-Till Residue Management, Nutrient Management, Pest Management, Tree/Shrub Planting, Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment.

Program Application Materials

Documents require Adobe Acrobat.
Application Form CC1200 (33 kb)
Español CCC1200: SOLICITUD PARA EL PROGRAMA DE CONSERVACIÓN (37 kb)
Conservation Planning Worksheet (29 kb)

Eligibility Documents

Form AD1026 HELWC - Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification (165 kb)
Form AD1199a NFC - Direct Deposit Sign Up (109 kb)
FormCCC901-Members Form (258 kb)
Form CCC926 - Adjusted Gross Income (259kb)
Form FSA211-POA - Power of Attorney (360 kb)