11/12/2008
United States Department of Agriculture * Natural Resources
A signup cutoff date of January 9, 2009, for the Environmental Quality Incentives Programs (EQIP) under the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) has been announced by Eric B. Banks, state conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  Although applications may be submitted anytime, applications will be gathered for ranking at that point.  

Apply at Local NRCS Office
Agricultural producers with cropland, rangeland, or forestland with any EQIP concerns listed below should apply at their local NRCS field office and work with them on a conservation plan.  Producers interested in participating in EQIP can apply at any time.  The office is located at your local USDA Service Center (listed in the telephone book under United States Government or on the Internet at offices.usda.gov).
 
Kansas Identifies Priority Natural Resource Concerns
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Kansas EQIP eligible priority natural resource concerns are as follows:
•    Air Quality – Objectionable Odors
•    Domestic Animals – Inadequate Stock Water
•    Fish and Wildlife – Threatened and Endangered Species, Declining Species, and             Species of Concern
•    Plant Condition – Noxious or Invasive Plants; Productivity, Health, Vigor (Forestland,         Rangeland, Pastureland, Hayland)
•    Soil Condition – Organic Matter Depletion
•    Soil Erosion – Streambank
•    Water Quality – Excessive Nutrients/Organics in Ground and/or Surface Water;             Excessive Suspended Sediment and Turbidity in Surface Water; Harmful Levels             of Pesticides in Ground and/or Surface Water
•    Water Quantity – Aquifer Overdraft; Inefficient Water Use on Irrigated Land;             Inefficient Water Use on Non-irrigated Land; and Insufficient Flows in Water Courses

EQIP Self-Assessment Worksheets
"Self-assessment worksheets are required again this year if farmers or ranchers apply for 2009 EQIP funding.  They will be required to fill out the Kansas EQIP Self-Assessment Worksheet, " said Banks.  "If a producer or rancher has already completed a worksheet, a new one will not need to be submitted."

"When producers or ranchers fill out the self-assessment worksheet, it helps provide them with an indication of the natural resource concerns they have, what they can accomplish, and what they need to do to qualify for the program," said Banks.
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"The worksheets take some time and thought, so if a landowner plans to apply, that process should begin very soon," emphasized Banks.  

"In the long run, the worksheet is a time-saving and money-saving tool," said Banks.  "It reduces the time it takes NRCS to process applications for EQIP.  By reducing the federal dollars required to administer the program, more dollars should be available for producers."

Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
EQIP is available to help address the unique circumstances and concerns of socially disadvantaged, limited resource, and beginning farmers and ranchers, who have natural resource concerns that need to be addressed on their land," said Banks.

"In Kansas socially disadvantaged, limited resource, and beginning farmers and ranchers may receive a higher payment rate through EQIP for structural and vegetative practices."

Application Evaluation
Ranking categories and allocation distribution will be determined at a later date.  This will not affect the application process.    

The NRCS will evaluate each application and give higher priority to those applications that use cost-effective conservation practices; treat multiple resource concerns; address national, state, or local priorities; and provide the most environmental benefits.

Review of EQIP FY 2008 Funding
Kansas received over $28.2 million in FY 2008, and over 1,700 contracts were funded.  More than 2560 applications were received.

In Kansas, EQIP funds will help farmers and ranchers install conservation practices that improve and protect Kansas's priority natural resource concerns.

"The objective of EQIP is to address natural resource concerns through the application of improved conservation systems.  EQIP is an environmental enhancement program," said Banks.

EQIP—the highest-funded of the conservation programs in the 2008 Farm Bill—is a voluntary conservation program that promotes environmental quality and assists producers to meet local, state, and federal regulations.

Information Available
As information becomes available, it will be placed on the Kansas NRCS Web site www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/2009 or be available at your local USDA Service Center from the NRCS or conservation district staff.