Don’t miss out on funding for your farm. Stay up to date on the EQIP deadlines for your agricultural business.
EQIP, or the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) farm funding program that enables producers to adopt conservation practices on the farm. The USDA provides both technical and financial support, covering up to 75 percent or percent of the costs incurred, for initiatives aimed at addressing on-farm resource concerns so that farmers, ranchers and producers can adopt conservation activities such as cover crops, nutrient management, fencing, high tunnels, natural pesticides and rotational grazing.
While EQIP is a national program, each state has its own deadline, and fiscal year 2024 (FY24) deadlines are well under way. In fact, many of those deadlines passed in 2023. What’s more? There can be up to four deadlines per fiscal year depending on your state!
Notice Massachusetts for example. In the table below, you’ll see that the state has three deadlines. These deadlines are constantly changing so be sure to sign up for funding alerts so you don't miss a date.
Keep in mind: although there are EQIP deadlines, you can submit an application year-round. If you need help with your application or understanding when is best to submit, try FarmRaise Premium and we’ll connect you with a Farm Funding Advisor who can help explain the process.
Check out our chart below to find the 2024 deadline for your state:
For more information about how the program works, read this FarmRaise guide to EQIP.
Those dates are for the EQIP but what about the NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)?
Right now, there's an incredible amount of funding up for grabs for CSP, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act and Farm Bill. The Inflation Reduction Act injected an extra $19.5 billion into NRCS' popular programs, including CSP, for a span of five years. CSP is designed for active agricultural lands and stands as the largest conservation initiative in the United States. It helps farmers expand upon conservation practices and improve their business operation. That's great for the future of your farm.
If you’re interested in the program and unsure about your state’s deadline, sign up for funding alerts for the most timely updates about the program. You can also reach out to your local USDA service center for more details.
Finding funding for your farm can be tough, but FarmRaise is here to make the application process easier so you can get back to what matters – your farm!
To position yourself as a top candidate for USDA programming, meticulous tracking of farm expenses and income is a great way to stand out. EQIP places a strong emphasis on sustainable and conservation-minded agricultural practices. Farmers who demonstrate their commitment to these principles will stand out. This is where FarmRaise Tracks becomes your indispensable ally.
FarmRaise Tracks offers more than just conventional expense tracking; it enables you to precisely categorize and document expenses associated with all your farm activities. By maintaining a detailed and well-organized financial record through the app, you not only simplify your documentation process but also prove you are a well-organized candidate.
In the competitive landscape of EQIP funding, being a well-prepared candidate can make a significant difference. Enhance your prospects of securing EQIP funding by integrating FarmRaise Tracks into your farm management strategy, showcasing your commitment to sustainable agriculture and conservation practices.
