From a Technical Perspective

By Larry Peach

Almost every day I have producers asking questions about the EQIP program; such as, how do you apply, how are the projects selected, how much does it pay, what happens if I can’t complete my project?

First of all, to qualify for application you must have your farm records established and current with the USDA Farm Service Center Agency. You must be actively engaged in livestock or agricultural production and produce at least $1000 of agricultural products per year. If your project is an irrigation project your land must have been irrigated at least 2 out of the last 5 years.

Once your application for your irrigation project has been submitted to the NRCS, it is ranked for water savings and cost of water savings /acre. Each project receives a ranking score (water savings in ac ft/average cost of the project). The higher the ranking score, the higher your application’s priority for funding. Every year we have several projects that either ranked low in water savings /acre, or ranked low because of the high cost /acre to achieve the water savings. Ranking the projects helps the NRCS fund the greatest water savings at the lowest cost /acre.

The NRCS is currently ranking the 2007 applications, and plans to start contracting soon. One thing that has changed for 2007 is the NRCS will be funding all projects based on 75% of average cost, based on the average cost of projects similar to yours. Not on 75% of your actual project cost. Before you sign the contract it’s a good idea to check with your vender to find out the actual cost of your conservation practice. Also you need to ask your self, do I really want to do the project, can I afford my cost share, and can I complete the practice in the allotted time? Once you sign the contract you are obligated to complete the conservation practice. “Some times it is harder to get out of a contract than it was to get in to it.” If you find that you’re having trouble completing your project or need to make a design change, your NRCS planner will be more than willing to help in modifying your contract, within reason. But if you decided you just didn’t want to complete all or part of the project, or just didn’t get around to doing it, you may be subject to cost recovery by the NRCS. It is important that you keep your planner informed as to the status of your project.