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South Carolina 2009 State EQIP Sign-Up and Application Information

 

Environmental Quality Inventives Program: Photo of NRCS District Conservationist and farmer

Conservation Programs Protect Soil, Water, and Wildlife

Landowners Encouraged to Apply by September 30th for Prioritized Funding

Columbia, SC, August 6, 2008— State Conservationist Niles Glasgow announced that September 30, 2008, is the deadline to apply for assistance from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for its EQIP Farm Bill program. NRCS provides financial and technical assistance to help South Carolina landowners address natural resource concerns, promote environmental quality, and protect wildlife habitat on property they own or control. The cost-share funds are available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

EQIP helps farmers improve production while protecting environmental quality by addressing such concerns as soil erosion and productivity, grazing management, water quality, animal waste, and forestry concerns. EQIP also assists eligible small-scale farmers who have historically not participated in or ranked high enough to be funded in previous program sign ups. 

There is a continuous signup for this program; however, to increase your chances of funding, apply by September 30. Producers interested in applying should visit their local USDA Service Center as soon as possible to prepare their applications.

Visit www.sc.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ for more information, including eligibility information.



General Program Description

Field offices are currently processing EQIP applications.  It is a continuous signup. September 30, 2008, is the deadline for applications to be accepted and ranked for the 2009 funding cycle.  Funding selections for EQIP applications will be announced in the first quarter of 2009.

All sign-ups are conducted at USDA Service Centers in South Carolina.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. It supports production agriculture and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through EQIP, farmers may receive financial and technical help with structural and management conservation practices on agricultural land.

EQIP was reauthorized in the 2008 Farm Bill and is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

In South Carolina, EQIP will pay 75 percent of the costs of eligible conservation practices under the general sign-up. Historically Underserved who are Limited Resource, Socially Disadvantaged, and Beginning Farmers are eligible for 90 percent cost share.  Those to be considered Socially Disadvantaged for this program are American Indians and Alaskan Natives, Asians, Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Native Hawaiians or Pacific Islanders.  Incentive payments may be made to encourage a farmer to adopt land management practices, such as nutrient management, manure management, integrated pest management, precision farming, and wildlife habitat management. 

 

2009 EQIP General Program Description Documents

How EQIP Works in South Carolina

 

Links to Other Useful Documents for the 2009 EQIP Program

EQIP Archives 

FY 2008
FY 2007
FY 2006
FY 2005
FY 2004
FY 2003

Contact

Bethel DuRant
Soil Conservationist

Phone: 803-253-3512
Email: bethel.durant@sc.usda.gov

Last Modified: 12/03/2009