Preble Soil and Water Conservation District

Farm Bill Programs

The purpose of the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) is to assist with the installation and implementation of conservation practices on private lands that address natural resource concern priorities established at the national, state and local levels. Ohio resource concerns include water quality, soil resources, wildlife habitat recovery for at-risk species, and air quality protection. The Preble County Local Workgroup (LWG) has determined water quality, soil erosion, soil quality, pasture productivity, and pasture water supply are the main natural resource priorities.

Applications can receive up to 300 state points and 100 local points for installing practices that meet these natural resource priorities. A maximum of 100 local points can be earned by installing the practices identified by the Preble LWG as high priority. Points have been assigned to the conservation practices based on their perceived ability to address the natural resource concerns established by the Preble LWG.

The applications accepted are based on ranking score and funding availability.

Conservation practices that address animal manure issues and mortality concerns associated with confinement livestock operations have been given the highest priority by the LWG. These practices include waste storage and composting facilities along with related practice components.

Livestock grazing conservation practices that address soil erosion, manure concerns, stream pollution, animal water supply and plant condition have been given the second highest priority. These practices include waste storage facilities, heavy use pads, watering systems, fencing, and related pasture management practices.

Agri-chemical/fertilizer handling facilities and precision nutrient placement/grid soil sampling using variable rate technology on fields not previously grid sampled have been given the third highest priority ranking based on their perceived ability to prevent pollution to surface and groundwater.

If an applicant requires a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) or Grazing Management Plan (GMP) and does not have one, they will be required to develop one, either with EQIP incentive payment assistance or without. Individuals applying for both a CNMP and structural practices must complete two applications. Individuals applying for both a GMP and structural practices must complete two applications. The second application will not receive any points for the development of the CNMP or GMP and cannot receive any program payments until the plan is completed. Applicants applying for a CNMP or GMP will be required to submit current soil tests (within 3 years) before the application can be funded.

The Preble LWG will only fund the highest ranking Limited Resource Farmer application at the 90% payment incentive rate for the entire contract. No separate beginning farmer category is available.

Tie-Breaker criteria: If two or more applicant scores are the same or "tied" at the program funding cut-off, the application with the highest number of local points will be funded first. If a tie still exists the application with the lowest contract cost will be funded next.