West Virginia 2005 EQIP Signup and Application Information

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was reauthorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (2002 Farm Bill) and is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). EQIP provides a voluntary conservation program for farmers and ranchers that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land.

A continuous signup is conducted at all UDSA Service Centers in West Virginia, or may be done online. Ranking periods are established and all applications received before the ranking period cutoff date are evaluated and ranked according to local ranking criteria. The highest ranked applications are selected for funding with the dollars available. Applications received after the cutoff date are held for ranking in the next ranking period.

EQIP offers contracts with a minimum term that ends one year after the implementation of the last scheduled practices and a maximum term of ten years. These contracts provide incentive payments and cost-shares to implement conservation practices. Persons who are engaged in livestock or agricultural production on eligible land may participate in the EQIP program. EQIP activities are carried out according to an environmental quality incentives program plan of operations developed in conjunction with the producer that identifies the appropriate conservation practice or practices to address the resource concerns. The practices are subject to NRCS technical standards adapted for local conditions.

• Map of West Virginia Counties

• 2005 List of Eligible Practices, Cost Share rates, and Ranking Criteria by Conservation District

• EQIP Application Forms and National EQIP Web Page

• Electronic Field Office Technical Guide (eFOTG)

• Technical Service Provider Information

• Limited Resource Self-Determination Tool

• FY-2005 Farm Bill Timelines

• National EQIP Manual

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

As always, technical assistance for EQIP will be available to you at no charge through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). You also have the opportunity to select a certified Technical Service Provider (TSP) to perform your technical assistance. TSPs are private sector or public agencies (such as a State agency) who have one or more individuals certified by the NRCS State Conservationist to perform technical services. Technical assistance provided by TSP’s is required to meet NRCS’s high technical standards. These persons or agencies will be compensated for their services with EQIP funding.

If you are interested in using a provider other than NRCS, you can see if there is a TSP certified to perform the technical services you need for your EQIP contract by visiting http://techreg.usda.gov and click on "TSP Locator." A list of certified individuals is also available from NRCS Field Offices.

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