Houston County 2004 EQIP Program

Executive Summary

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Houston County, Alabama, administers the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The signup for EQIP is on a continuous basis with an April 16, 2004, batching date. Any eligible landuser with a resource concern or problem on pastureland, cropland, or hayland may apply for assistance through this program. Applications can be completed at the Houston County USDA Service Center, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Houston County USDA Service Center is located at 1849 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan, Alabama 36301. The telephone number is 334-793-2310. Fax number is 334-792-3695. The e-mail is joseph.wilson@al.usda.gov. 

The USDA local work group has identified the following resource concerns as priorities in Houston County:

1. Soil erosion/soil quality improvement.
2. Grazing land and grazing system improvement.

The following are statewide concerns that are available for producers and landowners in Houston County.

1. Special Invasive Plants Management Project
2. Ground and Surface Water Conservation Special Project
3. Special Poultry Litter Distribution Project

All applications received prior to the April 16, 2004,  batching date will be ranked using the NRCS Alabama EQIP Scoring System. Funding will be allocated to the applications that will provide the greatest environmental benefits according to the EQIP scoring system. Conservation plans and contracts will be developed with applicants that receive funding.

Any applications filed later than the April 16, 2004, batching date will be deferred and considered for approval if additional funding is received in fiscal year 2004. All deferred applications not funded before the start of fiscal year 2005 on October 1, 2004, will be cancelled with a new continuous sign up ledger beginning October 1, 2004 for fiscal year 2005.

The following practices will be limited to 50 acres:

1. conservation tillage,
2. pasture/hayland planting, and
3. conservation cropping sequence (sod based rotation).

Cost-share for fencing associated with grazing systems will be limited to 10,000 feet. No cost-share will be available for property boundary fencing.

All cost-share and incentive payment rates are based on the 2004 Alabama statewide cost list.

Eligible practices are:

Note: This summary was prepared prior to release of finalized 2004 EQIP manual. Program details such as program eligibility requirements and percent of cost-share may change.

Applications may also be taken on-line at: http://www.sc.egov.usda.gov. Additional information is available at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/.  

 These documents require Adobe Acrobat.
Conservation Program Application - CCC1200 (330 KB)
State Ranking Tool (76 KB)
State Practices, Cost-Share Rates, and Restrictions (100 KB)

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