Florida 2006 State EQIP Sign-Up and Application Information

Environmental Quality Incentives Program Sign-ups are Underway

Farmers with Conservation Sign EQIP provides cost sharing to help farmers with conservation practices. All sign-ups are conducted at USDA Service Centers in Florida.

Farmers can apply for cost-sharing for many types of conservation practices.

Application Ranking and Selection

This process generally occurs between October 1 and March 28. Annually, NRCS establishes a cutoff date for applications to be evaluated and ranked for current year funding. The evaluation cutoff date for Fiscal Year 2006 is ~~December 15, 2005~~ - Extended until close of business February 15, 2006. Any applications received after the cutoff date will be held for evaluation for funding the following fiscal year.

Once an application is received by NRCS:

NRCS will contact the applicant to conduct an evaluation and ranking of the application.
The application will be ranked against all of the other applications within the local work group area/county or tribal area. Applications received to address resource concerns related to confined livestock operations will be ranked in a statewide pool.
After the cutoff date, NRCS will notify the applicant in writing of selection, deferment, or cancellation of the EQIP application.
If selected for funding, the contract development process will be initiated.

Applicants selected for funding are not authorized to begin the installation of a conservation practice until they have a CCC-1200 Conservation Program Contract, signed by a CCC representative (NRCS Contracting Officer)

IMPORTANT EQIP INFORMATION FOR PRODUCERS

In addition to the technical responsibilities for EQIP, NRCS now has administrative responsibilities as well. This change occurred October 1, 2004, prior to that date Farm Service Agency (FSA) was in charge of the administrative responsibilities of EQIP. Therefore NRCS will need additional information from the EQIP applicant that has in the past been submitted to the FSA Office.
Producer Eligibility – In order to be considered an Agricultural Producer, there must be a minimum of $1,000 or more of Agricultural products produced and sold, or that normally would have been sold for two of the last five years or IRS Schedule F showing profit or loss from farm operations.
Cost Effectiveness – Is currently being addressed in each counties ranking criteria by utilizing the following methods: cost sharing on practices with longer life spans, utilizing additional partners to stretch cost share dollars further, addressing multiple resource concerns.
A practice must be started within the first 12 months of a signed contract.
An EQIP contract stays with the land; therefore, to prevent the possibility of having to pay liquidated damages and/or cost recovery a participant wishing to terminate a EQIP contract due to the sale of the land must acquire a Successor-In-Interest through the proper documentation to transfer the contract to the new owner of the land.