The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced Friday, December 15, 2006, as the cutoff date for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) applications to be considered for Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 funding. 

EQIP Ground and Surface Water Conservation (GSWC)

In addition to the regular EQIP, producers across the state may apply for financial assistance through the GSWC provisions of EQIP.  Assistance to a producer will be provided only to facilitate a conservation practice that results in a net savings in ground and/or surface water resources. 

GSWC Provision:  Quick Response Areas (QRAs)

“We introduced the QRAs for EQIP funding last year and it is available again this year to improve the effectiveness of EQIP Ground and Surface Water Conservation funds,” said Harold L. Klaege, NRCS State Conservationist. “The QRAs have changed a little from those last year that were identified by four western Kansas Groundwater Management Districts and the Kansas Division of Water Resources.” (Map attached.)

NRCS will provide EQIP financial assistance for eligible applications located within the QRAs where producers convert irrigated cropland to nonirrigated cropland or grassland.  

New EQIP Self-Assessment Worksheets

When farmers or ranchers apply for 2007 EQIP funding, they will be required to fill out a Kansas EQIP Self-Assessment Worksheet. 

Limited Resource and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

“EQIP is available to help address the unique circumstances and concerns of limited resource and beginning farmers and ranchers, who have natural resource concerns that need to be addressed on their land,” said Klaege.

“In Kansas limited resource and beginning framers and ranchers may receive cost-share assistance at 20 percent above the established rates through EQIP.” 

Apply at Local NRCS Office

Agricultural producers interested in participating in EQIP can apply at any time at their United States Department of Agriculture Service Center at their local NRCS office.  Information about 2007 EQIP is available on the Web site at http://www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/2007 or is available at your local USDA Service Center from the NRCS or conservation district staff.  This will include information about 2007 EQIP; EQIP fact sheets explaining Kansas EQIP, GSWC, and QRA; map of QRA;  the Kansas EQIP:  Self-Assessment Worksheets; an application form; a list of eligible practices and average costs; and specifics on Kansas’s ranking process, including criteria used to evaluate applications.