How to Apply for EQIP

If a landowner or operator decides to apply for EQIP, a Conservation Program Application (NRCS-CPA-1200) needs to be completed.  The NRCS-CPA-1200 may be obtained from your local USDA Service Center or by clicking on the above form.

Evaluation Process

All applications are ranked by NRCS staff using either the state or locally developed evaluation process.  Highest priority is given to applications that encourage the use of cost-effective conservation practices, conservation practices that address National conservation priorities, and those that optimize environmental benefits.  EQIP ranking templates will be used to prioritize all applications.  Applications eligible for the American Indian or Animal Waste Management System earmarks will be considered for funding first and must be ranked with the appropriate SDACD ranking template.  The statewide ranking template will be utilized to rank applications with a total cost of $100,000 or greater.  The appropriate SDACD Area ranking template will be utilized to rank applications with a total cost of less than $100,000.

Application Worksheets

• Clarification for the EQIP Ranking Template Questions
• American Indian Ranking Template Summary Workshop
• Animal Waste Management System Ranking Template Summary Worksheet
• Statewide Ranking Template Summary Worksheet

To determine the appropriate SDACD Area EQIP Ranking Template Summary Worksheet to be used to rank the applications with a total cost of less than $100,000, see the map below and select that appropriate worksheet based on the physical location of the land.

Please select the appropriate ranking template summary worksheet based on the physical location of the land.  The following documents require Adobe Acrobat.

Coteau Watershed EQIP Ranking Template Summary Worksheet - Brown, Marshall, Roberts, Day, Spink, Clark, Codington, Hamlin, Grant, and Deuel.
Hills Watershed EQIP Ranking Template Summary Worksheet - Butte, Lawrence, Meade, Pennington, Custer, Fall Fiver.
North Missouri Watershed EQIP Ranking Template Summary Worksheet - Campbell, McPherson, Walworth, Edmunds, Potter, Faulk, Sully, Hyde, Hand, and Hughes.
Northwest Watershed EQIP Ranking Template Summary Worksheet - Harding, Perkins, Corson, Meade, Ziebach, Dewey.
Prairie Watershed EQIP Ranking Template Summary Worksheet - Haakon, Stanley, Jackson, Jones, Lyman, Shannon, Bennett, Todd, Tripp, Gregory.
South James/Missouri Watershed EQIP Ranking Template Summary Worksheet- Beadle, Buffalo, Brule, Jerauld, Sanborn, Aurora, Davison, Hanson, Charles Mix, Douglas, Hutchinson, Bon Homme, and Yankton.
Vermillion/Big Sioux Watershed EQIP Ranking Template Summary Worksheet - Kingsbury, Brookings, Miner, Lake, Moody, McCook, Minnehaha, Turner, Lincoln, Clay, and Union.

Thresholds

Thresholds are established for the ranking template summary worksheets.  Applications at or above the established thresholds are considered as high priority and will be considered for funding.  The thresholds are as follows:

• Animal Waste Management Systems - 120
• American Indian Earmark - 120
• Statewide - 115
• Coteau SDACD Area Workgroup - 115
• Hills SDACD Area Workgroup - 150
• North Missouri SDACD Area Workgroup - 160
• Northwest SDACD Area Workgroup - 170
• Prairie SDACD Area Workgroup - 160
• South James/Missouri SDACD Area Workgroup - 130
• Vermillion/Big Sioux SDACD Area Workgroup - 120

Conservation Practice List and Cost-Share Rates

Eligible conservation practices may be cost-shared at 25 percent to 75 percent.  Limited Resource Producers and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers are eligible for an additional 25 percent added to the applicable cost-share rate for each practice not to exceed 90 percent.

Conservation Practice List with Cost-Share Rates (14.8 KB)

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