Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) — USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Cost-share for high tunnels, irrigation efficiency, cover cropping, pollinator habitat, and 170+ other conservation practices. Continuous sign-up through your local NRCS office; periodic cutoff dates rank applications.

Typical award: Cost-share up to 75% of costs (90% for beginning/underserved producers); high tunnel packages commonly $6,000–$20,000
Deadline: Rolling sign-up — periodic state batching cutoffs
Type of support: Funding / grants · Conservation & soil health
Who can apply: Individual producer, Beginning / underserved, Tribal
Fits these operations: Vegetables & produce, Cut flowers, Orchard & fruit, Mixed / diversified, Value-added & food business, Urban farm

Am I eligible?

Own or rent land in agricultural production
Have a conservation concern that NRCS can address
Meet adjusted gross income (AGI) limits if applicable

How to apply

1Contact your local NRCS office to request a Conservation Evaluation Worksheet
2Walk the property with an NRCS planner to choose practices
3Submit application and supporting farm records
4Sign contract and complete practices within agreed timeline

What you'll need

Farm tax ID or operator records
Maps of fields and current cropping/systems
Conservation practice cost estimates

Timeline & contact

Initial planning 2–6 weeks; contract 1–10 years depending on practices

Get help: USDA Service Center / local NRCS field office

Ready to apply?

Applications go through USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, not through this site. Open the official page below for eligibility rules, forms, and contacts. For federal programs it's worth calling your local USDA Service Center or Cooperative Extension office first — they help with paperwork for free and know what your county actually funds.

Open official page

This listing was last hand-checked August 2026.

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