The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that promotes agricultural production, forest management, and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through EQIP, farmers and ranchers may receive financial and technical assistance to install or implement structural and management conservation practices on eligible agricultural land. EQIP was reauthorized in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill). The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers EQIP. Funding for EQIP comes from the Commodity Credit Corporation.
EQIP offers contracts with a minimum term that ends one year after the implementation of the last scheduled practice and a maximum term of 10 years. EQIP activities are carried out according to a conservation plan of operations developed with the program participants. Contracts with confined animal feeding operations (CAFO) are required to develop and implement a comprehensive nutrient management plan (CNMP). The conservation practices must be installed in accordance with Oklahoma NRCS standards and specifications. Farmers and ranchers may elect to use a certified third-party provider for technical assistance, if available.
The EQIP program signup is open and continuous. Sign-up is conducted at the local USDA Service Centers. Applications are evaluated continuously and reviewed periodically to select high priority applications for contract development depending on fund availability. NRCS offices establish application evaluation periods locally and cut off dates each year when funds must be obligated. Rankings within all of these areas consider cost-effective practices, use of practices that treat multiple resource concerns, and environmental benefits. Practice payment rates have been set based upon recommendations from the Local Work Group and the Oklahoma State Technical Committee.
Contact Oklahoma Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Listed as:
USDA - NRCS Programs
Contact Oklahoma Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Brandon Bishop
Resource Conservationist
100 USDA, Suite 206
Stillwater, OK 74074
Phone: 405-742-1232
Fax: 405 742-1201
Service Area
Statewide service provider in: