United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service		 Go to Accessibility Information
Skip to Page Content




Environmental Quality Incentives Program

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was reauthorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) to provide 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.

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. The local conservation district approves the plan.

EQIP may cost-share up to 75 percent of the costs of certain conservation practices. Incentive payments may be provided for up to three years to encourage producers to carry out management practices they may not otherwise use without the incentive. However, limited resource producers and beginning farmers and ranchers may be eligible for cost-shares up to 90 percent. Farmers and ranchers may elect to use a certified third-party provider for technical assistance. An individual or entity may not receive, directly or indirectly, cost-share or incentive payments that, in the aggregate, exceed $450,000 for all EQIP contracts entered during the term of the Farm Bill.

EQIP Sign Up Information is Now On-Line!

EQIP Sign-up information is now available online. Click on the State where your farm or ranching interest is located. This will take you to the application information for that State, the official ranking criteria used to evaluate your application, and a link to the form CCC-1200, Application for Participation and/or Contract.

Adobe Acrobat DocumentThese documents require Adobe Acrobat Reader

Forms Needed to Signup:

Adobe Acrobat DocumentCCC-1200, Conservation Program Contract
Adobe Acrobat DocumentCCC-1200A, Appendix to the Contract, EQIP Special Contract Provisions
Adobe Acrobat DocumentCalidad Ambiental, (EQIP, por sus siglas en Inglés)

Forms Needed for Conservation Planning

Adobe Acrobat DocumentAD-1155, Conservation Plan and Schedule of Operations
Adobe Acrobat DocumentAD-1155A, Conservation Plan and Schedule of Operations
Adobe Acrobat DocumentAD-1156, Conservation Plan and Schedule of Operations

USDA Service Center EForms Web Site - for instructions and information

EQIP Rules and Notices with Supporting Documents

Adobe Acrobat DocumentProposed Rule, 7 CFR Part 1466
Adobe Acrobat DocumentNotice of Final Rule
Adobe Acrobat DocumentFinal Rule
Adobe Acrobat DocumentSummary of the Proposed Rule
Adobe Acrobat DocumentSummary of the Final Rule
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEconomic Analysis
Adobe Acrobat DocumentCivil Rights Analysis
Adobe Acrobat DocumentEnvironmental Risk Assessment

Environmental Assessment and FONSI

Additional Information

Program Information by Fiscal Year

Adobe Acrobat DocumentAugust 28, 2002 EQIP Memorandum: FSA and NRCS Responsibilities
Adobe Acrobat DocumentFebruary 26, 2003 EQIP Memorandum: FSA and NRCS Responsibilities
Adobe Acrobat DocumentApril 20, 2004 EQIP Memorandum:  FSA and NRCS Responsibilities  Revised!
 Adobe Acrobat DocumentMay 21, 2004 EQIP Memorandum:  Questions and Answers  New! 

Success Stories

Program Contact

Steve Mozley, Acting National EQIP Manager, 202-720-1840
Edward Brzostek, Acting Program Manager, 202-720-1834