Programs

Mississippi EQIP Overview

How EQIP Works in Mississippi

Mississippi NRCS supports the locally led conservation effort in the delivery of conservation programs. The USDA local work group (USDA-LWG) serves as the starting point for the development and coordination of USDA programs to provide an integrated approach for addressing local natural resource concerns. The following is a brief overview of the process as it relates to EQIP.

The USDA-LWG ensures that a conservation needs assessment is developed using community stakeholders input. Utilizing the assessment process, the USDA-LWG identifies resource concerns, recommends practices, payment rates, cost-share levels and funding needs. The group assists in multi-county coordination when resource concerns will be addressed across county boundaries.

The above information is solicited by MS NRCS each year in a common format. Following the submittals of local proposals, the State Conservationist will convene the State Technical Committee to review requests and make recommendations on ranking criteria, eligible practices and funding. Any adopted recommendations to a county proposal will be returned to the county to incorporate into the county's final approval proposal.

Based on county resource assessments, the following five state resource concerns have been identified as priorities for 2008.

1. Water Quality Sedimentation
2. Water Quality Animal Waste
3. Water Quantity
4. Sustainable Forestry
5. Grazing Lands

For FY 2008, there will be two additional incentives for Small Scale Farmers and for Poultry Litter Distribution. A ranking tool will prioritize applications based on the resource concerns that each county selected. The tool ranks applications on a county wide basis, not statewide. The unit rate of compensation shall be higher for Beginning Farmer and Limited Resource Farmer.

A county allocation will be made each year based on a state formula, which includes the county request, previous funding demand and performance, priority resource concerns and other related factors. The USDA-LWG will determine the percent of allocation among the county resource concerns to meet priorities prior to initiating a signup. Final allocations to counties and special initiatives will be determined after receiving the states allocations.

MS NRCS will establish a cut off each year when funds must be obligated. If county funds are not obligated by this date, funds will be reallocated to other counties.

The USDA-LWG will establish ranking periods, but must be before the state cut off for reallocating funds.

Eligibility

The Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Local Working Group or the Farm Service Agency determines eligible producers for the EQIP program. Any farmer engaged in livestock or crop production on eligible land may apply for EQIP. EQIP contracts may be for a tract, farm or multiple farms. Eligible land includes cropland; rangeland; pasture; private non-industrial forestland; and other farm or ranch lands, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.

Program Payment Limits

EQIP unit of compensation is limited to $450,000 per person or entity. Maximum financial compensation on small scale farmer contracts is limited to $10,000 per operation.

Contact

Al Garner, Asst. State Conservation (Programs)
Phone: (601) 965-5196
Email: al.garner@ms.usda.gov