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KATE HANSEN

Policy Assistant, Center for Rural Affairs

The deadline for Nebraska farmers and ranchers to apply to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program is quickly approaching. Any interested producers should apply by March 13.

Administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, EQIP is a working lands conservation program that offers producers financial and technical assistance for a variety of conservation practices. The program is one of the nation’s most popular working lands conservation programs and thousands of farmers and ranchers enroll in it each year.

To apply for EQIP, farmers and ranchers work with local NRCS office staff to develop a conservation plan for their operations. This can include cropping plans and grazing management plans. Then, if an EQIP application is accepted by NRCS, the farmer or rancher implements the proposed conservation practices.

One conservation practice that EQIP supports is cover crops. Among their many benefits, cover crops can help with building soil health and preventing erosion. EQIP also supports a variety of grazing practices, such as watering facilities and prescribed grazing.

The 2018 farm bill made several changes to EQIP, which NRCS is in the process of rolling out. One change notable for beginning producers is that beginning farmers and ranchers are eligible to receive a portion of their cost-share payments at the start of their contract, instead of after the work is completed. This should assist these producers with cash flow management when enrolling in EQIP.

Farmers and ranchers interested in applying for EQIP should contact their local NRCS office as soon as possible.