March 28, 2024

Illinois EQIP application deadlines set

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service has set March 20 and April 17 as deadlines to sign up for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural and forestland producers.

With EQIP, producers can successfully address natural resource issues on their farm. Some EQIP activities include installing structures to address gully erosion, improving pastureland diversity by inter-seeding and improving soil health by increasing organic matter with cover crops.

In addition to conservation practices, EQIP funds the development of a plan, such as Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans, Grazing Plans, Drainage Water Management Plans and more.

Producers interested in EQIP should submit a signed application — NRCS-CPA-1200 form — to their local NRCS field office. Applications submitted by March 20 and April 17 will be evaluated by NRCS staff for the funding period submitted.

Applicants must meet program eligibility requirements to participate in EQIP. Local NRCS field office staff will work with applicants to assess the land and answer ranking questions. If an application is ranked high enough to be funded, the NRCS staff will work with the applicant to develop a contract.

“NRCS has a long history of conservation planning with agricultural producers and forestry managers. We have the technical knowledge to develop a conservation plan for your resource concerns and NRCS has conservation programs that are available to implement that plan,” said Ivan Dozier, Illinois NRCS state conservationist.

EQIP is a voluntary conservation program available for agricultural producers and forestry producers. Through EQIP, NRCS will provide financial and technical assistance to install conservation practices.

For information on EQIP, contact the local NRCS field office, or visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/il/programs/financial/eqip/.