Apply for NRCS EQIP: From Field Office Visit to Contract

EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) pays part of the cost of conservation practices like cross fencing, livestock water, prescribed grazing and now virtual fencing. Applications are accepted all year, but each state ranks them in batches with cutoff dates.

Step by step

1. Call or visit your local USDA Service Center and ask for the NRCS district conservationist.
2. Get your farm records set up with FSA: a farm number, and the eligibility forms (AD-1026 conservation compliance, CCC-941 income, CCC-902 farm operating plan).
3. Walk the ranch with the NRCS planner and describe your resource concerns (water, erosion, grazing distribution).
4. Submit the application form (NRCS-CPA-1200) before your state's next ranking cutoff. Ask the office for the date.
5. NRCS ranks applications; if funded you get a contract listing practices and payment rates (see the California payment schedule).
6. Don't start work or buy anything before the contract is signed.
7. Build to NRCS standards, keep receipts and photos, and certify completion to get paid.

Useful facts

• Virtual fence: Practice 382 in year 1, Practice 528 for subscription or lease costs in years 2–5 (UCCE Central Sierra).
• Beginning, veteran and limited-resource producers can qualify for higher payment rates and advance payments.
• Your local Resource Conservation District can help with plans.

Get the Grant Starter Kit for a document checklist and narrative template.

See the grant calendar for the next ranking cutoff and other deadlines, and the grant guide for farm numbers, budgets, records and what to do if you're turned down.