Browse Ambrook’s collection of grants, loans, discounts, cost shares, easements, and insurance for operations interested in reduced inputs.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.


**How It Works**

This voluntary conservation programs helps producers make conservation work for them.  Together, NRCS and&#x2004;producers invest in solutions that conserve natural resources for the future while also improving agricultural operations.


Through EQIP, NRCS provides agricultural producers with financial resources and one-on-one help to plan and implement improvements, or what NRCS calls conservation practices.  Using these practices can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving agricultural operations.  Through EQIP, you can voluntarily implement [conservation practices](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/technical/cp/ncps/?cid=nrcs143_026849), and NRCS co-invests in these practices with you.


**Benefits**

Some of these benefits include:

- Reduction of contamination from agricultural sources, such as animal feeding operations.

- Efficient utilization of nutrients, reducing input costs and reduction in non-point source pollution.

- Increased soil health to help mitigate against increasing weather volatility and improved drought resiliency.


**2018 Farm Bill EQIP Updates**


[Historically underserved](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/people/outreach/slbfr/?cid=nrcsdev11_001040) (HU) participants are eligible for[ advance payments ](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=nrcseprd1502414)to help offset costs related to purchasing materials or contracting through EQIP.  HU participants may elect to receive an advance of not less than 50 percent of the EQIP conservation practice payment amount.  If the participant elects to receive the advance payment, the funds must be expended within 90 days of receiving the advance.


The 2018 Farm Bill expanded eligibility regarding with whom NRCS can enter into an EQIP contract.  NRCS may enter into EQIP contracts with water management entities when they are supporting a water conservation or irrigation efficiency project.  These entities are defined as State, irrigation district, ground water management district, acequia, land grant-merced, or similar entity.


The 2018 Farm Bill requires a national 10 percent of mandatory program funding be targeted towards source water protection.  States will identify priority source water protection areas and may offer increased incentives and higher payment rates for practices that address water quality and/or water quantity.  


Beginning in 2020, States may provide increased payment rates for high-priority practices.  In consultations with the State Technical Committee, State Conservationists may designate up to 10 practices to be eligible for increased payments.  Eligible high-priority practices include those that address specific causes of ground or surface water impairment relating to excessive nutrients, address the conservation of water to advance drought mitigation and declining aquifers, meets other environmental priorities and other priority resource concerns identified in habitat or other area restoration plans, or is geographically targeted to address a natural resource concern in a specific watershed.


**EQIP Incentive Contracts**

The 2018 Farm Bill introduced EQIP incentive contracts to expand resource benefits to producers through incentive practices such as cover crops, transition to resource conserving crop rotations and precision agriculture technologies along with a similarly broad suite of incentive practices for ranchers and non-industrial private forest operators.  Every region within a State will have identified high-priority areas and each of these areas will target up to three priority resource concerns by land use.  In addition to the payment for practice implementation, incentive contracts offer annual payments to address operations and maintenance costs as well as foregone income.  EQIP incentive contracts can be a stepping stone for producers between EQIP classic and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contracts.


You can [visit the 2018 Farm Bill Programs page](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/farmbill/?cid=stelprdb1242382) for for more information about other NRCS conservation opportunities.


**Popular Practices**

- [Cover Crops](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/PA_NRCSConsumption/download?cid=stelprdb1263481&ext=pdf)

- [Forest Stand Improvement](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/PA_NRCSConsumption/download?cid=nrcseprd340673&ext=pdf)

- [Prescribed Grazing](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/PA_NRCSConsumption/download?cid=stelprdb1255132&ext=pdf)

- [Irrigation](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/PA_NRCSConsumption/download?cid=nrcseprd340699&ext=pdf)


**EQIP Initiatives**

Targeted EQIP financial assistance is available through general EQIP, and several other initiatives. These initiatives address priority natural resource concerns on the most vulnerable lands, target conservation assistance in high priority watersheds, or help stimulate the development and adoption of innovation and technology. [Learn about Landscape Conservation Initiatives here](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/initiatives/?cid=stelprdb1042113).

- [High Tunnel Initiative](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=stelprdb1046250)

- [Organic Initiative](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=nrcs143_008224)

- [Air Quality Initiative](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/air/quality/?cid=stelprdb1047144)

- [Landscape Initiative](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/initiatives/?cid=stelprdb1042113)

- [On Farm Energy Initiative](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=stelprdb1046252)

- [Conservation Innovation Grant](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/cig)

- [Colorado River](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/co/programs/landscape/?cid=nrcs144p2_062765)



The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits such as improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, increased soil health and reduced soil erosion and sedimentation, improved or created wildlife habitat, and mitigation against drought and increasing weather volatility.

How It Works
This voluntary conservation programs helps producers make conservation work for them.  Together, NRCS and producers invest in solutions that conserve natural resources for the future while also improving agricultural operations.

Through EQIP, NRCS provides agricultural producers with financial resources and one-on-one help to plan and implement improvements, or what NRCS calls conservation practices.  Using these practices can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife habitat, all while improving agricultural operations.  Through EQIP, you can voluntarily implement conservation practices, and NRCS co-invests in these practices with you.

Benefits
Some of these benefits include:
- Reduction of contamination from agricultural sources, such as animal feeding operations.
- Efficient utilization of nutrients, reducing input costs and reduction in non-point source pollution.
- Increased soil health to help mitigate against increasing weather volatility and improved drought resiliency.

2018 Farm Bill EQIP Updates

Historically underserved (HU) participants are eligible for advance payments to help offset costs related to purchasing materials or contracting through EQIP.  HU participants may elect to receive an advance of not less than 50 percent of the EQIP conservation practice payment amount.  If the participant elects to receive the advance payment, the funds must be expended within 90 days of receiving the advance.

The 2018 Farm Bill expanded eligibility regarding with whom NRCS can enter into an EQIP contract.  NRCS may enter into EQIP contracts with water management entities when they are supporting a water conservation or irrigation efficiency project.  These entities are defined as State, irrigation district, ground water management district, acequia, land grant-merced, or similar entity.

The 2018 Farm Bill requires a national 10 percent of mandatory program funding be targeted towards source water protection.  States will identify priority source water protection areas and may offer increased incentives and higher payment rates for practices that address water quality and/or water quantity.  

Beginning in 2020, States may provide increased payment rates for high-priority practices.  In consultations with the State Technical Committee, State Conservationists may designate up to 10 practices to be eligible for increased payments.  Eligible high-priority practices include those that address specific causes of ground or surface water impairment relating to excessive nutrients, address the conservation of water to advance drought mitigation and declining aquifers, meets other environmental priorities and other priority resource concerns identified in habitat or other area restoration plans, or is geographically targeted to address a natural resource concern in a specific watershed.

EQIP Incentive Contracts
The 2018 Farm Bill introduced EQIP incentive contracts to expand resource benefits to producers through incentive practices such as cover crops, transition to resource conserving crop rotations and precision agriculture technologies along with a similarly broad suite of incentive practices for ranchers and non-industrial private forest operators.  Every region within a State will have identified high-priority areas and each of these areas will target up to three priority resource concerns by land use.  In addition to the payment for practice implementation, incentive contracts offer annual payments to address operations and maintenance costs as well as foregone income.  EQIP incentive contracts can be a stepping stone for producers between EQIP classic and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contracts.

You can visit the 2018 Farm Bill Programs page for for more information about other NRCS conservation opportunities.

Popular Practices
- Cover Crops
- Forest Stand Improvement
- Prescribed Grazing
- Irrigation

EQIP Initiatives
Targeted EQIP financial assistance is available through general EQIP, and several other initiatives. These initiatives address priority natural resource concerns on the most vulnerable lands, target conservation assistance in high priority watersheds, or help stimulate the development and adoption of innovation and technology. Learn about Landscape Conservation Initiatives here.
- High Tunnel Initiative
- Organic Initiative
- Air Quality Initiative
- Landscape Initiative
- On Farm Energy Initiative
- Conservation Innovation Grant
- Colorado River

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

To apply for EQIP Conservation Incentive Contracts, contact your local NRCS office at the details above.

Hot to apply for an EQUIP 

Conservation Incentive Contracts address priority resource concerns, including sequestering carbon and improving soil health in high-priority areas. Through these contracts, NRCS works with producers to strengthen the quality and condition of natural resources on their operations using management practices, such as irrigation water management, drainage water management, feed management and residue and tillage management that target&#x2004;resource concerns, including degraded soil and water quality, available water and soil erosion.

Conservation Incentive Contracts offer producers annual incentive payments to implement management practices as well as conservation evaluation and monitoring activities to help manage, maintain and improve priority natural resource concerns within state high-priority areas and build on existing conservation efforts. 

**NRCS accepts applications for EQIP year-round, however producers and landowners should apply by [state-specific signup dates](https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detailfull/national/programs/financial/?cid=NRCSEPRD1837661) to be considered for each year’s funding.**



Conservation Incentive Contracts address priority resource concerns, including sequestering carbon and improving soil health in high-priority areas. Through these contracts, NRCS works with producers to strengthen the quality and condition of natural resources on their operations using management practices, such as irrigation water management, drainage water management, feed management and residue and tillage management that target resource concerns, including degraded soil and water quality, available water and soil erosion.
Conservation Incentive Contracts offer producers annual incentive payments to implement management practices as well as conservation evaluation and monitoring activities to help manage, maintain and improve priority natural resource concerns within state high-priority areas and build on existing conservation efforts. 
NRCS accepts applications for EQIP year-round, however producers and landowners should apply by state-specific signup dates to be considered for each year’s funding. 

Farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who own or lease agricultural land may be eligible. EQIP assistance can be used on many types of operations, including, but not limited to:
- Conventional and organic
- Specialty crops and commodity crops
- Forestry and wildlife
- Livestock operations

- State-Specific Signup Deadlines
- EQIP Information

Air Quality

Certification

High Tunnel

Landscape

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Reduced Tillage

Certified Organic

Conservation

Water Management

Regenerative

Carbon Capture

Soil Health

Incentive contracts:
- Require producers to address at least one priority resource concern during the contract period.
- Have an initial length of five years.
- Have a payment limitation of $200,000 for the life of the 2018 Farm Bill which expires in 2023. 
- Offer two types of payments:
    - Implementation payments, which are paid after certification of practice.
    - Annual payments, which include management practices that will serve as annual payments and are paid as soon as practicable, after October 1 of each fiscal year.
NRCS offers higher payment rates and advance payments to historically underserved (HU) producers who implement conservation practices in an EQIP Conservation Incentive Contract.

To apply, carefully read the Notice of Funding Opportunity on grants.gov and follow the instructions to submit an application. 
In preparation for applying, you will need to take the following (free) steps, if you haven't already:
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- Register with SAM.gov
- Obtain a Unique Entity Number (UEN) from SAM.gov
- Register an account with Grants.gov

Melanie  Krizmanich

This program provides financial&#x2004;assistance to carry out activities for one or more of the following purposes. 

- Generate compost.

- Increase access to compost for agricultural producers.

- Reduce reliance on, and limit the use of, fertilizer.

- Improve soil quality.

- Encourage waste management and permaculture business development.

- Increase rainwater absorption.

- Reduce municipal food waste; and

- Divert residential and commercial food waste from landfills. 

In addition to meeting one or more of the above purposes applicants are encouraged to align their project proposals to address priorities on environmental justice, racial equity, climate, invest in disadvantaged communities and climate smart agricultural practices. Priority will be given for each of the following elements that are included in a project:

- Anticipate or demonstrate economic benefits for the targeted community;

- Incorporate plans to make compost easily accessible to agricultural producers, including community gardeners, school gardens, and producers;

- Integrate food waste reduction strategies, including innovative food recovery efforts such as food gleaning, storage, and preservation techniques; and

- Include a robust plan that describes collaboration with multiple partners. 



This program provides financial assistance to carry out activities for one or more of the following purposes. 
- Generate compost.
- Increase access to compost for agricultural producers.
- Reduce reliance on, and limit the use of, fertilizer.
- Improve soil quality.
- Encourage waste management and permaculture business development.
- Increase rainwater absorption.
- Reduce municipal food waste; and
- Divert residential and commercial food waste from landfills. 
In addition to meeting one or more of the above purposes applicants are encouraged to align their project proposals to address priorities on environmental justice, racial equity, climate, invest in disadvantaged communities and climate smart agricultural practices. Priority will be given for each of the following elements that are included in a project:
- Anticipate or demonstrate economic benefits for the targeted community;
- Incorporate plans to make compost easily accessible to agricultural producers, including community gardeners, school gardens, and producers;
- Integrate food waste reduction strategies, including innovative food recovery efforts such as food gleaning, storage, and preservation techniques; and
- Include a robust plan that describes collaboration with multiple partners. 

Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to the following entity types:
- City or township governments
- County governments
- Independent School Districts
- State-designated Indian Tribes
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) 
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally-recognized tribal governments) 
- Special district governments
- Municipal Governments

- Opportunity on grants.gov (Includes Notice of Funding Opportunity)
- SAM.gov

Waste & Manure Management

Stewardship

Local Food

Farmers Market

Socially Disadvantaged

People Of Color

Historically Underserved

This program requires applicants to provide a minimum cost share of 25 percent of the federal share awarded. Applications that do not include the required level of cost-sharing will be ineligible for award. Cost sharing may be achieved with contributions of cash, services, materials, equipment, or other in-kind contributions, which may be provided by the applicant or a third party.

To apply for the 2023 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge, please complete and submit the application at this portal by April 29, 2022 at 11:59 pm EDT. Late entries will not be accepted.

The Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge is a national business competition that showcases U.S. startups developing innovative solutions that address challenges facing America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Launched in 2015, The Challenge was the first national business competition of its kind focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs.

Now in their eighth year, the American Farm Bureau Federation in partnership with Farm Credit, are looking to identify the&#x2004;top entrepreneurs who are addressing both traditional challenges farmers face on their operation, such as access to labor, optimizing yield and reducing operating costs, to entrepreneurs who are addressing new challenges facing farmers and rural communities.

Farm Bureau will award $165,000 in startup funds to ten businesses, culminating at a live pitch competition and networking event in Atlanta, GA. The Ag Innovation Challenge Winner will be awarded $50,000 in startup funds provided by sponsors [Farm Credit](https://farmcredit.com/), [Bayer Crop Science](https://www.cropscience.bayer.com/), [John Deere](https://www.deere.com/en/), [Farm Bureau Bank](https://www.farmbureau.bank/) and [Microsoft](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/).



The Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge is a national business competition that showcases U.S. startups developing innovative solutions that address challenges facing America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Launched in 2015, The Challenge was the first national business competition of its kind focused exclusively on rural entrepreneurs.
Now in their eighth year, the American Farm Bureau Federation in partnership with Farm Credit, are looking to identify the top entrepreneurs who are addressing both traditional challenges farmers face on their operation, such as access to labor, optimizing yield and reducing operating costs, to entrepreneurs who are addressing new challenges facing farmers and rural communities.
Farm Bureau will award $165,000 in startup funds to ten businesses, culminating at a live pitch competition and networking event in Atlanta, GA. The Ag Innovation Challenge Winner will be awarded $50,000 in startup funds provided by sponsors Farm Credit, Bayer Crop Science, John Deere, Farm Bureau Bank and Microsoft.

1. The 2023 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge is open to all Farm Bureau members. 
2. All businesses entered into The Challenge must be for-profit. Non-profit businesses are not eligible.
3. Applicant Team Lead must be at least 18 years of age to enter.
4. Businesses who have received a funding round beyond Series A (or a comparable funding round) are not eligible to compete in The Challenge.
5. Previous Semi-Finalist businesses are not eligible to compete in The Challenge. 
6. Applicant Team Lead must be available to attend and participate in the Top Ten Semi-Finalist competition, the Final Four Live Pitch Event, and the awards ceremony to be held at the 2023 American Farm Bureau Convention (“Convention”) in San Juan, Puerto Rico from January 6, 2023 to January 11, 2023. 

- Ag Innovation Challenge Terms and Conditions
- Become a Farm Bureau member

Training

Legal & Finance

Marketing

The application calls for inclusion of various information regarding an Applicant’s business plan, photos and a video pitch. An online judging committee comprised of Farm Bureau and Farm Credit staff will review and evaluate the applications using a point-based rubric and other factors as determined by the judges to select the Top Ten Semi-Finalist teams, which will be announced on September 13, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. EDT. Business scores or judge’s rubric will not be sent to applicants. The Top Ten Semi-Finalists will travel to the 2023 AFBF Convention to compete live. 
Round 2 will take place at the 2023 AFBF Convention, where the Top Ten Semi-Finalist teams will pitch their business in a workshop-style meeting room in front of a panel of judges and live audience. These judges, along with Farm Bureau and Farm Credit advisors will select four (4) teams to compete live in the Final Four Live Pitch competition. 
Round 3, the final round, will also take place at the 2023 AFBF Convention and will consist of the Final Four (4) teams competing on stage in a live event in front of a team of judges and a live audience. The Final Four (4) teams will compete for the grand prize and title of 2023 Ag Innovation Challenge Winner, 2023 Ag Innovation Challenge Runner-up, as well as the People's Choice Award. The winners will be announced at the 2023 AFBF Convention Closing General Session in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Monday, January 11, 2023. The Team Lead from each of the four Finalist teams is required to be present at the AFBF Convention Closing General Session and to accept their award on stage if they are chosen as a winning team.

Before you apply, read the full Request for Proposals (PDF) for complete details of the program. You can also review the list of past projects and read prior issues of the Greenbook, which contains summaries, findings, and locations of previous grants. Using these resources will help you design a competitive project.

Then, apply through MDA's online application system.
- If you are a new user, you will need to create an account.
- Once you are logged in, select AGRI Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant FY23.

Kelly Anderson

Eric Nooker

MDA Grants Line

The AGRI Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant supports innovative on-farm research and demonstrations. It funds projects that explore sustainable agriculture practices and systems that could make farming more profitable, resource efficient, or personally satisfying. Findings are published in the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s annual _[Greenbook](https://www.mda.state.mn.us/greenbook)_.



The AGRI Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant supports innovative on-farm research and demonstrations. It funds projects that explore sustainable agriculture practices and systems that could make farming more profitable, resource efficient, or personally satisfying. Findings are published in the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s annual Greenbook.

Applicant eligibility
Applications from Minnesota farmers receive priority, but the program also funds Minnesota nonprofits and educational organizations that meaningfully involve Minnesota farmers in projects.
Your project must last two to three years and you must be willing to share what you learn with others.
Project eligibility
MDA will fund projects that explore the profitability, energy efficiency, and environmental benefits of sustainable agriculture practices or systems. Projects can include, but are not limited to:
- Practices that increase environmental sustainability and improve soil health
- Conservation tillage and weed management methods
- Novel cover crops and crop rotations
- Input reduction strategies, including nutrient and pesticide management
- On-farm energy production, such as wind, methane, or biomass, or improvements in energy efficiency
- Developing/refining/improving marketing opportunities, including season extension and post-harvest storage and handling
- Novel enterprise diversification, including organic production, using traditional and non-traditional crops and livestock
- Other creative ideas that focus on environmental benefits, energy savings or production, profitability, and/or farmers’ quality of life

- Request for Proposals - Sustainable Agriculture Demonstration Grant 2023
- How to fill out your online application
- Greenbook

List of Agricultural Funding for Reduced Inputs