Connecticut FY2012 State EQIP Sign-Up and Application Information 

Subject to revision by the Connecticut State Technical Committee 

General Program Description

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in Connecticut provides cost share and incentive payments to implement conservation practices on eligible agricultural land.  It is a voluntary program that promotes environmental quality and agricultural production as compatible goals.  EQIP sign-ups are conducted at USDA Service Centers in Connecticut.

Farmers can apply for funding for many types of conservation practices.

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).

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis; however, NRCS will offer three ranking periods with the following closing dates: February 3, March 30, and June 1, 2012. Landowners may submit applications any time throughout the year.

Sign-ups are conducted at USDA Service Centers.  

Eligible conservation practices are funded in accordance with the 20012 EQIP payment schedule. Incentive payments may be made to encourage a farmer to adopt land management practices, such as nutrient management, waste utilization, integrated pest management, irrigation water management, and wildlife habitat management.

Some of the following documents require Adobe Acrobat.

Agricultural Energy

Forest Management Plans 2010

• Forestry Initiative Factsheet (167 KB)

New England/New York Forestry Initiative

New England Cottontail Initiative Fact Sheet

Seasonal High Tunnels Factsheet

2012 Organics Initiative

NRCS accepts applications for the Organic Initiative on a continuous basis.

Offered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for the fourth year, the EQIP Organic Initiative is available in all 50 states for farmers who are certified organic, transitioning to certified organic, or organic exempt according to USDA’s National Organic Program regulations. 

Experimenting with cover crops and crop rotations, installing intensive grazing infrastructure (grazing plans, internal fencing, walkways, water lines), establishing wildlife and pollinator friendly habitat, and installing seasonal high tunnels are examples of conservation practices for which funding may be available under this program. In addition, states offer Conservation Activity Plans that support conservation planning for organic agriculture.

Contact your local NRCS office soon to meet with your conservation planning professional and determine which practices could enhance your farming operation.

Organic Initiative Point of Contact Joyce Purcell, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, (860) 871-4028.

• EQIP Organic Support
• Connecticut EQIP Organic Initiative Eligible Practices  (Coming Soon)
• Connecticut EQIP Organic Payment Schedule General and Organic Payment Schedule Historically Underserved  (Coming Soon)
  (In Connecticut, all practices are eligible for EQIP Organic applicants. Practices identified -- in orange on the payment list -- have specific components in the payments identified for organic farming such as organic seed, organic fertilizer, or setbacks required for organic farming.)
• Organics Initiative Fact Sheet (208 KB)

2012 EQIP General Program Description Documents and Application Form

• EQIP Application (76 KB)
• Agricultural Water Enhancement Program
  • grants.gov
• How EQIP in Connecticut Works
• Contract Development in Connecticut
• Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan Assessment Process
• Connecticut EQIP Success Story (237 KB)
• Connecticut EQIP Fact Sheet (89 KB)

2012 EQIP Conservation Practice, Ranking Documents, and Program Contract

• Connecticut EQIP Policy (98 KB) (Coming Soon)
• Connecticut EQIP Application Evaluation and Program Ranking Tool (70 KB) (Coming Soon)

Links to Other Useful Documents for the EQIP Program

• Dun and Bradstreet D-U-N-S Number Request Service (for U.S. Government Contractors and Grantees)
• CCR - Central Contracting Registration
• Connecticut Field Office Technical Guide
• Limited Resource Farmer and Rancher Self Determination Tool
• Are You an Eligible Producer?
• 2008 Farm Bill

Contact

Joyce Purcell
Assistant State Conservationist - Programs
Phone: (860) 871-4028

< Back to Programs

Last Modified: 01/12/2012