BackgroundThe Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) is helping producers around the country pay for practices that protect soil and water resources. EQIP is a program implemented by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). The program assists the implementation of cost-effective conservation for working farms, showing that conservation and agricultural production are possible at the same time.

Structural improvements and management practices are methods that both crop and livestock producers use to qualify for program incentives, technical assistance and cost-share payments. The national program focuses on improvements for soil erosion, water quality, air quality, and wildlife habitat. In Minnesota grazing, forestry, and other local concerns are combined with national priorities to help producers address threats to soil, water and other natural resources.

 Use of DataUMAC community members, Lee and Noreen Thomas use remote sensing images to verify the EQIP practices they incorporate on their organic farm in Clay County, Minnesota. Practices that minimize soil erosion, like grade stabilization, crop residue, and control basins, can be verified through the use of satellite images.

Lee and Noreen use organic plant buffers and integrated pest management to reduce the use of pesticides and improve water quality on their farm (See Figure 1). Practices that improve wildlife habitat and minimize soil erosion, tree planting and windbreaks, can be easily seen in remote sensing imagery (See Figure 2.)

 Economic and Environmental BenefitsProducers receive direct incentive payments, technical assistance, and cost-share benefits when they participate in EQUIP. Assistance once capped at $50,000 over 5 years ($10,000 max per year), was increased with the 2002 Farm Bill to $450,000 over nine years with no yearly maximum. In 2003, the Minnesota NRCS paid $15.6 million dollars to Minnesota producers with an average yearly payment of almost $13,000.

Environmental benefits have resulted from nation wide participation in the EQIP program. Over application of nutrients and pesticides creates harmful non-point source pollution that contaminates groundwater, streams and ponds. In recent years non-point source pollution has become more of a problem than industrial pollution.