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Florida 2007 EQIP Ranking and Initiatives

All Ranking documents are provided for guidance only.  The only persons approved to rank any applications are NRCS employees.  For additional information please contact your local NRCS office.

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Suwannee Watershed Ranking Criteria 
Indian Reservation Ranking Criteria 
Okeechobee Ranking Criteria 
Area 1 Ranking Criteria 
Area 2 Ranking Criteria 
Area 3 Ranking Criteria 
 Area 4 Ranking Criteria 

NRCS Offers Cost Share on Windbreaks for Citrus

To assist Florida citrus producers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida now includes the planting of windbreaks for citrus canker control as a conservation practice eligible for cost share payments under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Florida NRCS is working with the National NRCS Office to be able to provide up to 75% cost share for windbreaks.  The following is a list of species that may qualify for the cost share:

  • Slash & Sand Pine
  • Eucalyptus
  • Red Cedar
  • Bamboo
  • Walter’s and Sweet Viburnum
  • Saw Palmetto
  • Crepe and Wax Myrtle
  • Simpson’s Stopper

Adobe Acrobat iconCitrus Canker Fact Sheet revised 12/06

Water Quality Concerns Related to Confined Livestock Operations

Florida NRCS, with concurrence from the Florida State Technical Committee, has decided to rank all Confined Livestock Operations (dairy, swine and poultry) on a statewide basis.

Confined Livestock Operation Ranking Criteria 

GROUND AND SURFACE WATER (GSW)

The Environmental Quality Incentives Programs (EQIP) Ground and Surface Water (GSW) Funding will be available from NRCS in five southwest Florida counties. The five counties are Charlotte, Desoto, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Sarasota.  These counties have been designated the Southern Water Use Caution Area (SWUCA) by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) because of depressed water levels in wells and saltwater intrusion in this area. 

 The funds for the GSW will be competed in the five county area and will only pay for practices that provide for a net savings of water.  A single ranking form will be used and monies will be provided to the applicants with the highest priority needs.  Once all the funding from the GSW has been utilized applications that were part of the GSW will then be available to compete for funds with in their county of origin depending on their local ranking. 

EQIP will provide incentives to growers willing to minimize water use on irrigated cropland.  The incentive will serve to target low water use efficiency by sharing the cost of improving inefficient (increase efficiency by at least 10%) irrigation systems, installing irrigation regulating reservoirs or Tail Water Recovery Systems (TWR), and implementing drainage water management. 

All practices will be funded at a 50 percent cost-share rate. All people meeting the definition of Limited Resource Farmer will receive cost-share up to the rate of 90% on all eligible practices.  

A complete conservation plan, normally developed to the Resource Management System level, will be produced by NRCS staff and provided to all clients who receive EQIP funding.  The conservation plan is a management tool that clients can use to best implement and utilize the cost-shared funds and other technical assistance provided by NRCS.  Various receipts and documents associated with the installed practices are required prior to any reimbursement.  EQIP payments will be initiated once the cost-shared practices have been adequately implemented and certified by NRCS.

Ground and Surface Water Ranking Criteria 

Small Farmer Initiative

State Conservationist, T. Niles Glasgow, announced the Small-Scale Farm Initiative to help farmers overcome barriers they face in reaching their conservation goals. The NRCS established this new initiative to help small farmers to co-exist side-by-side with larger agricultural operations.  It will enhance the viability and economic livelihood of Florida’ estimated 23,000 small farmers and ranchers.

Florida Small-scale/Limited Resource Farmer Fact Sheet 2007 
Limited Resource Farmer Self Determination Tool 

  Florida Small-scale/Limited Resource Farmers Ranking Criteria 

USDA programs are available to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (See Nondiscrimination Statement below)

Florida Program Contact

Jeffrey Woods, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, 352-338-9515

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Last Modified 01/08/2007