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Beginning Farmer Thrives Implementing EQIP Projects

Nancy Barrett is a beginning farmer in the north central Connecticut Town of Somers. The farm is a diversified tobacco operation with 12 Belted Galloway cows (with a plan to expand to 40). Barrett uses 10+ acres to grow tobacco and 20 acres for pasture. Another 35 acres are rented out for growing other crops. Because the farm is located in the Scantic River Gulf Stream (which discharges directly into the Scantic River), there exists the potential for contamination of surface and ground waters.

Barrett applied for (and received) an EQIP contract in FY 2002, which included a plan for a roof runoff management system, a 1,000 foot underground outlet, a 750 foot long waterway, pasture planting on four acres, and over 10,000 feet of fencing. Barrett had such tremendous success in addressing the grazing issues on her farm, she applied for (and received) an EQIP contract for FY 2003.

This contract includes:

  • installation of a covered heavy use area – minimizing production of contaminated runoff
  • installation of roof gutters – allowing her to divert and collect clean water
  • installation of fencing – promoting pasture management and grazing

Through these efforts, animal waste on Barrett’s farm will be reduced, greatly decreasing runoff into the Scantic River.

EQIP Dollars and Contracts
 

Fiscal Year 2005

Cumulative Total (1997-2005)
Congressional District Obligated Dollars Number of Contracts Obligated Dollars Number of Contracts
District 1 $   759,483.00 7 $  1,403,986.00 16
District 2 $1,191,066.00 20 $  7,908,295.00 105
District 3 $   519,544.00 6 $  1,064,202.00 26
District 4 $   249,629.00 2 $     256,630.00 3
District 5 $1,942,225.00 24 $  6,045,383.00 77
State Totals $4,661,947.00 59 $16,678,496.00 227

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.

12/21/05

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