Funding Database: Environmental Quality Incentives

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) aims to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners in North Carolina incorporate conservation practices onto working lands. This voluntary initiative promotes a balanced approach between agricultural production and environmental stewardship, providing both financial and technical assistance to tackle natural resource concerns on eligible lands​.

Financial support often covers up to 75% of the project costs for implementing specified conservation practices. Technical guidance includes helping participants facilitate the implementation of conservation planning and other environmentally beneficial practices. Through EQIP, individuals are able to address soil, water and related natural resource concerns.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), a division of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), administers EQIP.

Eligible Applicants

Agricultural producers and owners of non-industrial private forestland are eligible to apply for EQIP. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, non-industrial private forestland and other farm or ranch lands. See the program website for more details on applicant eligibility. 

Eligible Projects

Eligible projects include those that address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits, such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, and improved or created wildlife habitat. Vegetative, structural and management practices are eligible as are other improvements that further program goals such as conservation activity plans. For example, EQIP can help you:

• Reduce contamination from agricultural sources, such as animal feeding operations
• Efficiently utilize nutrients, reduce input costs and reduce non-point source pollution
• Increase soil health to help mitigate against increasing weather volatility and improved drought resilience

Funding Amount

The funding amount under EQIP will depend on the scope and nature of the conservation practices in the project application, as well as the availability of funds under EQIP at the time of application.

Payments are made to participants after the conservation practices and activities identified in the EQIP plan of operations are implemented. However, historically underserved producers, including socially disadvantaged, beginning, limited resource and veteran farmers are eligible for an increased payment rate and may receive advance payment of 50% to purchase materials and services needed to implement conservation practices included in their EQIP contract.

Contracts can last up to 10 years.

Application Schedule

NRCS accepts applications on a rolling basis; however, the agency sets a submission deadline each year for application evaluation. Refer to the program homepage for the upcoming deadline.

Application Process

To get started on an EQIP application, reach out to your local service center’s NRCS contact.

The first steps involve discussing the vision you have for your land, filling out forms provided by your contact and reviewing your eligibility.

Application Assistance

View the EQIP Fact Sheet to see if EQIP is right for you. 

Funding Source

This funding is provided by USDA through congressional appropriations.