How EQIP in Connecticut Works (DRAFT)

Connecticut EQIP Overview

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.

Connecticut NRCS supports the locally led conservation effort in the delivery of conservation programs. The USDA Local Work Group (LWG) serves as the starting point for the development and coordination of USDA programs to provide an integrated approach for addressing local natural resource concerns.

The LWG ensures that a conservation needs assessment is developed using community stakeholders input. Utilizing the assessment process, the LWG identifies resource concerns and recommends priorities and conservation systems.

The LWG information is solicited by Connecticut NRCS each year in a common format.  Following the submittals of LWG recommendations, the State Conservationist convenes the State Technical Committee to review priority concerns and make recommendations on ranking criteria and eligible practices.

Based on county resource assessments from LWGs, the following seven state resource concerns were identified as priorities by the State Technical Committee.

1. Ground Water Quality/Quantity
2. Surface Water Quality/Quantity
3. Agricultural Land Use Changes
4. Riparian/Wetland
5. Biodiversity/Wildlife
6. Air Quality/Odor and Fine Particulate Matter (PM 2.5)
7. Energy/Biogas Production and Utilization

Each program year, a statewide evaluation and ranking worksheet is developed along with a statewide list of eligible practices and associated cost share rates or incentive payments. The state conservationist approves the final ranking criteria, eligible practices, cost share levels and incentive payment rates after receiving input from the State Technical Committee.

Connecticut NRCS will establish a cut off date each year for signups. Applications will be evaluated and ranked after the signup cutoff date.

EQIP has and will continue to be a competitive program for the awarding of contracts. Contract applications that optimize environmental benefits are ranked highest for contract development. Evaluation and ranking is done on a statewide basis by an NRCS team.

Eligibility

Any producer engaged in livestock or crop production on eligible land may apply for EQIP. Eligible land includes cropland; rangeland; pastureland; private non-industrial forestland; and other farm or ranch lands as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.

For More Information

Please contact NRCS at your local USDA Service Center.

Application signup is an ongoing process and can be done online or completed at your local USDA Service Center with NRCS or the Farm Service Agency.

Connecticut EQIP program information, Connecticut statewide EQIP planning process and evaluation and ranking criteria and worksheets, and statewide practice lists and practice cost lists were developed by Connecticut NRCS.

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