The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has several financial assistance programs to help farmers, both urban and rural, implement conservation practices on their farms. Please see below for a description of these programs and further information on how to apply.
EQIP – Environmental Quality Incentive Program
EQIP provides financial assistance or “cost-share” to urban farmers, community gardens and landowners to address resource concerns on their operation by implementing structural, vegetative, and management practices. This is a reimbursement program that can support producers in covering the costs to install various conservation practices.
The most common practices on urban farms and gardens include:
- High tunnels
- Low tunnels
- Raised beds
- Soil health practices (cover crop, reduced-till, crop rotations)
- Erosion control measures
- Pollinator plantings
- Compost facilities
- Improving irrigation efficiency
- Energy audits & efficiency improvements
CSP – Conservation Stewardship Program
CSP is a program that rewards farmers and landowners who are good stewards of their land and who wish to enhance their farming practices to take conservation to the next level. This is a 5 year program with a minimum annual payment of $4,000/year. Eligible participants must first meet a base level of stewardship; this is determined by a Resource Inventory assessment completed by a conservation planner. If met, the producer must also agree to install new conservation practices or enhancements on their farms that go above and beyond the current farming practices.
ELIGIBILITY:
In order to qualify for any of these federal programs you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must have an existing farm or garden operation producing agricultural products – there is no minimum sales requirement
- Individuals, businesses and non-profits are eligible to apply
- Must meet Adjusted Gross Income eligibility requirement (annual income of $900,000 or less)
- Government agencies and other government entities are not eligible.
- Producers can apply on private land and on state, federal or other government owned land if it is operated or managed by a nonprofit, business or individual.
In order to apply for federal programs, please review the application and eligibility forms below. Both the application and eligibility forms are required to submit a complete application:
Conservation Program Application – Form 1200 (link coming soon)
This is the application used to apply for financial programs.
Customer Data Worksheet – Form AD-2047 (link coming soon)
This is the form that establishes your customer data record and Farm and Tract number with the USDA Farm Service Agency. You can have a record both as an individual and an entity.
Member’s Information – Form CCC-901 (link coming soon)
If you are applying as an entity (LLC or non-profit) instead of an individual, you will need your members, especially those with signature authority, to complete this document. All members will also need to complete a Customer Data Worksheet (AD-2047).
**All names on the application MUST match Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) records**
Helpful Resources: