Washington | Environmental Quality Incentives Program

Washington EQIP FY24 Payment Schedule HERE

Organic Transition Initiative

The application batching deadline for the FY23 Organic Transition Initiative is June 1, 2023. This funding helps support producers transitioning to organic production by providing financial assistance (FA) and technical assistance (TA) to farmers choosing to implement a new organic management standard. For more information check out the article here or the OTI page.

State EQIP Initiatives

Statewide Buffer

NRCS assists applicants with installing buffers along streams and waterbodies to reduce sediment, pollutants, and decrease stream temperatures. Check out the FY2023 Riparian Buffer Program fact sheet for more information.  

Washington's Disaster Initiative

NRCS is working with applicants that have been impacted by flooding or wildfire on their property. Producers statewide who were impacted by wildfires will be eligible to rest their burnt grazing land for one year. Producers affected by flooding in the Nooksack and Skagit river watersheds will be eligible for assistance in repairing damage from flooding.

Limited Resources Farmer or Rancher (LRFR) 

NRCS assists private landowners with the implementation of conservation practices on all land uses within Washington State that qualify as a LRFR

1. Individual producer:
   1. A person with direct or indirect gross farm sales not more than the current indexed value in each of the previous 2 fiscal years (adjusted for inflation using Prices Paid by Farmer Index as compiled by National Agricultural Statistical Service), and
   2. Has a total household income at or below the national poverty level for a family of four, or less than 50 percent of county median household income in each of the previous 2 years (to be determined annually using Commerce Department Data); or

A legal entity or joint operation if all individual members independently qualify under paragraph (1) of this definition.
 

Urban Agriculture

Urban agriculture pioneers are taking action in their communities, growing not only fresh, healthy produce, but also providing jobs, beautifying their neighborhoods, and offering access to fresh, healthy food in areas where grocery stores are sparse.

As American agriculture continues to grow in new directions, NRCS conservation assistance is growing along with it. NRCS provides technical and financial assistance for assistance for urban growers in areas such as:

• Soil Health
• Irrigation and Water Conservation
• Weeds and Pests
• High Tunnels. NRCS can provide financial assistance for high tunnels, used to extend the growing season and to protect plants from harsh weather, air pollution and pests. By making local produce available for more months in the year, fewer resources are used to transport food to plates.

Statewide Wildlife (Aquatic)

Financial and technical assistance is available to support implementation of habitat restoration and enhancement projects that will benefit one or more of the following: Salmon & Steelhead or Native Olympia Oyster. Applications for projects that remove barriers for fish and other aquatic species, restore stream side riparian habitat, restore habitat in streams, rivers, and wetlands, improve floodplain habitat, and increase intertidal substrate resources for native oyster will be prioritized for funding.

Statewide Wildlife (Terrestrial)

Financial and technical assistance is available to support implementation of habitat restoration and enhancement projects that will benefit one or more of the following: Threatened and Endangered Wildlife (State and Federally listed), Pollinators (emphasis on Monarch Butterfly), and Wildlife Corridors. Applications for projects that improve quantity and quality of forage and cover, improve habitat connectivity, and restore habitat for sensitive species will be prioritized for funding.

Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI)

NRCS developed the Sage-grouse Initiative to help private landowners voluntarily conserve sage-grouse populations and habitat on their working lands. In Washington, NRCS identified potential threats to sage grouse and their habitat and determined specific conservation practices to reduce those threats. Technical and financial assistance through EQIP is available for implementing the specific practices.

CNMP Initiative

NRCS assists private landowners with the implementation of their previously developed Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP)

Statewide Forestry

NRCS assists private landowners with the implementation of their previously developed and approved Forest Management Plan (FMP)

Statewide Irrigation

NRCS assists private landowners with implementation of irrigation conservation practices that improve watering efficiency.

Statewide Cropland

NRCS assists private landowners with the implementation of conservation practices that reduce or eliminate Ephemeral Gully and/or Wind Erosion.

Statewide Soil Health

NRCS assists private landowners with the implementation of conservation practices that improve soil health.

Sentinel Lands

NRCS, working with other State and Federal partners, have identified areas where focused conservation can affect Threatened and Endangered species habitat near Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM).

Beginning Farmer or Rancher

NRCS assists private landowners with the implementation of conservation practices on all landuses within Washington State that qualify as a Beginning Farmer or Rancher.

The term “Beginning Farmer or Rancher” means a participant who: 

• Has not operated a farm or ranch, or who has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 10 consecutive years. This requirement applies to all members of a legal entity, and who
• Will materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm or ranch.

In the case of a contract with an individual, individually or with the immediate family, material and substantial participation requires that the individual provide substantial day-to-day labor and management of the farm or ranch, consistent with the practices in the county or State where the farm is located. In the case of a contract made with a legal entity, all members must materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm or ranch. Material and substantial participation requires that the members provide some amount of the management, or labor and management necessary for day-to-day activities, such that if the members did not provide these inputs, operation of the farm or ranch would be seriously impaired. 

Socially Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher

NRCS assists private landowners with the implementation of conservation practices on all land uses within Washington State that qualify as Socially Disadvantaged Farmer or Rancher.

The term “Socially Disadvantaged” means an individual or entity who is a member of a socially disadvantaged group. For an entity, at least 50 percent ownership in the farm business must be held by socially disadvantaged individuals. A socially disadvantaged group is a group whose members have been subject to racial or ethnic prejudice because of their identity as members of a group without regard to their individual qualities.

These groups consist of the following:

• American Indians or Alaskan Natives
• Asians
• Blacks or African Americans
• Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders
• Hispanics

Note: Gender alone is not a covered group for the purposes of NRCS conservation programs. The term entities reflect a broad interpretation to include partnerships, couples, legal entities, etc.

Statewide Tribal Local Working Group

NRCS assists Tribes with the implementation of conservation practices for identified Plant/Animal/Aquatic species of cultural importance to each Tribe.

Conservation Incentive Contracts

Incentive contracts are an option available through EQIP that offers producers financial assistance to adopt conservation management practices on working landscapes. Producers may use incentive contracts as a “steppingstone” from correcting resource issues on specific land units through EQIP to achieving sustainable stewardship on their entire operation. Conservation Incentive Contracts are available nationwide and help producers address priority resource concerns, like sequestering carbon and improving water quality in high-priority areas. Incentive contracts now offers new conservation evaluation and monitoring activities (CEMA) to help report outcomes of practices.

Download the Fact Sheet

 Program Payments and Payment Rates

Practice Payment Schedule

NRCS provides financial assistance for selected conservation practices. Download the Washington payment schedules to see which activities qualify, and how much financial assistance is available. Practice scenarios show examples of how financial assistance payments are calculated.

Program Contact
Joyce Trevithick, Program Liaison
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Phone:509-717-3260
Email: joyce.trevithick@usda.gov