New Farm Bill provisions expand EQIP

The 2002 Farm Bill made new provisions and added additional funding to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).  Farmers and ranchers have the opportunity to apply for additional 2002 funds totaling approximately $24 million for needed conservation practices.

EQIP is designed to promote agricultural production and environmental quality through technical assistance, cost-share payments, and incentive payments to assist crop and livestock producers with environmental and conservation improvements on private lands.

New program provisions and changes were made to improve program delivery and streamline administrative concurrence.  Producers no longer have the bidding down option; all cost-share practices are set at a 75 percent cost-share rate.  Producers will also be able to utilize program funds within the first year of their contract, and the payment limitation increased to $450,000 per producer for the life of the farm bill. 

“These current provisions will be incorporated into all new contracts approved this year in Texas,” said John Weddle, USDA- Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) program manager in Lubbock.  Interested producers can contact their local NRCS office in their county USDA Service Center.  Applications can be made through June 28, 2002.  These producers having made prior applications in 2001-2002 should contact their local NRCS office to review their applications.  More information is available on the USDA Website at www.usda.gov/farmbill.

An additional farm bill provision was made with the creation of the Ground and Surface Water Conservation Area under EQIP.  Funding for this special emphasis area in Texas is approximately $6 million.  The focus will be on water conservation showing primary concern for water quantity.

Farmers and ranchers will have the opportunity to install more efficient irrigation systems through cost-share contracting.

Producers interested in making an EQIP application for the Ground and Surface Water Conservation Area should contact the local NRCS field office at 874-3561, Ext. 2 or 3 for the application period beginning June 17- July 12, 2002.