Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

1. Environmental Quality Incentives Program(EQIP) Grazing – Our Most Commonly Used Conservation Practices

2. EQIP… • Available since 1996 • Program has grown--popularity & funding • Remains NRCS’ principal program—FA & CTA--for private landowners

3. EQIP supports needs of agricultural operations with or without livestock, offering ideas, solutions, & guidance for successful, sustainable conservation operations

4. Practices described & shown can be selected & installed after developing a conservation plan designed to address your specific resource concerns.

5. EQIP Applications… • Taken ANY time • Ranked to measure resource needs & environmental benefits gained • Not all can be accepted • Can be re-submitted

6. Your EQIP Contract… • Contracting Procedures: • “Application Phase” • “Contracting Phase”   • “First 12 months of a contract”      • “Contract reviews” •  Timelines  

7. Payments… • Cannot be made until EQIP CONTRACT is developed • Contract obligations—yours & NRCS’—must be met • Activity/Progress must be made within 12-months of contract

8. CNMP ‘101’ • Producer needs a CNMP • What information do they need to have to get started? • What does a CNMP involve? • Who would be doing it?   (probably a TSP, with a discussion of how this works) • What practices will be recommended and how do they address resource concerns?   What will be changed in the operation if the CNMP is implemented?  i.e. changes in storage volumes, production capacity changes, utilization of waste applied, etc. • and so on

9. Illinois’Most Common EQIP Conservation Practices — Grazing EQIP —

10. Fencing • May be applied where control is needed for: • Animal or people movement, • Wildlife movement, • Livestock management, & • Soil erosion potential with fence install on steep slopes.

11. Pipeline • Deliver water from a source of supply to points of use for livestock

12. Prescribed Grazing • Applied as part of a conservation system: • Improves or maintains health & vigor of key species, • Provides or maintains food, cover & shelter for animals of concern.

13. Stream Crossing • A stabilized area or structure constructed across streams: • Improves water quality, • Reduces streambank, streambed erosion & • Provides access to other grazed lands-- people, stock, equipment.

14. Upland Wildlife Habitat Management • Provides treatment of upland wildlife habitat concerns: • Landowner identifies objective for conserving wild animal species & • Targets wildlife species • Enhances shelter, cover, & food.

15. Access Road • A travel-way for equipment & vehicles • Protects soil, air, fish, wildlife resources

16. Brush Management • Includes removal, reduction, or manipulation of non-herbaceous plants: • Manages noxious/ invasive woody plants, • Restore desired vegetative cover & forage • Protect soils, life & property from wildfire hazards.

17. Heavy Use Area Protection • Stabilizes frequently, intensively used livestock areas: • Reduces soil erosion • Improves livestock health.

18. Watering Facility • Provides access to water for livestock • Protects & enhances vegetative cover • Controls erosion, & • Protects streams & ponds.

19. Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment • Linear plantings of single or multiple rows of trees or shrubs • Improves air quality, reduces wind erosion • Serve as living noise screens, & • Offer shelter for livestock.

20. Conservation Practices • Most common shown • Other practices available • Support land, resource needs, objectives • Pick those that fit your operation & your budget!

21. Programs • Other NRCS programs may suit your needs, your land better • CSP • WRP • WHIP • Visit www.il.nrcs.usda.gov • Make appointment w/ District Conservationist today!

22. Thank You! Helping People Help the Land USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.