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| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 2 2007, 2:37 AM EDT (current) | mark | 652 words added |
| Apr 2 2007, 2:37 AM EDT | mark |
Changes
Key: Additions Deletions
ISSUE
Water Quality
PLACE IN FOOD CYCLE
Natural/Human Resources
POLICY
Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP)-EQIP is a 2002 Farm Bill (2002 Farm Security & Rural Investment Act) program administered by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) that helps reimburse farmers for installing conservation practices to improve animal waste management, grazing land, soil erosion and sediment control, and other concerns that affect the quality of air, water and soil.
POLICY TOOL
Grants (cost-share grants & technical assistance)
SCALE
National, State, local
ACTORS
NRCS, FSA, VT Agency of Ag., local nonprofits, individuals
PROBLEMS ADDRESSED
Agriculture nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is the leading source of water quality impacts to surveyed rivers and lakes. EQIP provides cost- share payments through 1-10 year contracts to implement eligible structural or vegetative practices that address NPS. Farmers are required to cost-share (25-50%). Eligible "Limited Resource" farmers have reduced cost-share requirement of 10%. Eligible practices to be covered by EQIP must be part of a farm conservation plan and include such practices as riparian buffers, stream crossings, fencing, animal waste management facilities, & filter strips. VT NRCS has 2 EQIP funding categories: first category is for applications addressing water quality problems associated with animal wastes and/or silage leachate. These applications contain requests for conservation practices associated with the construction, storage, transfer, handling, or application of animal wastes/wastewater and silage leachate. Second category includes all other applications that address nutrient, pathogens, and/or sediment loading issues. Applicant must complete 6 forms.
POLICY GOALS IMPLICATED
Security - Protecting water quality is of public interest because everyone needs clean drinking water, including future generations. Water is part of the public good–entire community needs to protect it. Farm Bill assistance programs aleviate a portion of the burden for individual farmers and share it with community. Equity - State of VT receives limited amount of funds for Farm Bill programs; funds not distributed based on need, but based on strict eligibility, as well as on a first-come-first-served basis. Many farmers are not aware of programs due to lack of outreach on behalf of program providers and because paperwork to apply for program is cumbersome--not equitable b/c not farmer-friendly. Cost-share can be significant so only those who can afford it can participate in program (not equitable). Liberty - Programs are voluntary so liberty is not threatened (unless participation in programs is caused by another policy). Efficiency - goal of efficiency is met when new measures actually increase farm's capacity and productivity over time. Cost savings significant over time for community at large (no price for clean water).
TOOL CHARACTERISTICS
Directness - EQIP is indirect tool; Federal program managed at state level depending on state prioritires (as well as national). VT NRCS determines who receives funding for practices. Once they are implemented, farmer must maintain them (or not). Coercion - EQIP is entirely voluntary so it is not coercive; however, EQIP may be the only option for a farmer who is enforced to implement VT Accepted Agricultural Practices (AAPs) and needs funding so applies for program. EQIP requirements may force farmers to implement practices in a way they don't want to just to receive the assistance. Automaticity - A system is in place to administer EQIP so it is fairly automatic from this perspective. Visibility - EQIP is visible in VT and federal budget, though could be more visible among recipients of program (farmers) and community members. NRCS does not conduct much outreach, and many nonprofits and the state help promote programs. Unknown if community members at large are aware of program.
EXTENT POLICY SUPPORTS/HINDERS
When EQIP is used voluntarily as it is intended it supports civic agriculture because a healthy environment will lead to healthier, more productive farms. Because the state of VT can leverage Farm Bill programs as resources to make farmers comply with other regulations (i.e. AAPs), EQIP can thwart local agriculture because of the potenitally unwanted cost-share requirement.
ADDITIONAL LINKS
http://www.ers.usda.gov/Features/farmbill/titles/titleIIconservation.htm http://www.crjc.org
http://www.vt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/EQIP/EQIP2006/EQIP2006_Vermont.html#Eligible%20Practices%20and%20Practice%20Cost%20Share%20Rates
Water Quality
PLACE IN FOOD CYCLE
Natural/Human Resources
POLICY
Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP)-EQIP is a 2002 Farm Bill (2002 Farm Security & Rural Investment Act) program administered by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) that helps reimburse farmers for installing conservation practices to improve animal waste management, grazing land, soil erosion and sediment control, and other concerns that affect the quality of air, water and soil.
POLICY TOOL
Grants (cost-share grants & technical assistance)
SCALE
National, State, local
ACTORS
NRCS, FSA, VT Agency of Ag., local nonprofits, individuals
PROBLEMS ADDRESSED
Agriculture nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is the leading source of water quality impacts to surveyed rivers and lakes. EQIP provides cost- share payments through 1-10 year contracts to implement eligible structural or vegetative practices that address NPS. Farmers are required to cost-share (25-50%). Eligible "Limited Resource" farmers have reduced cost-share requirement of 10%. Eligible practices to be covered by EQIP must be part of a farm conservation plan and include such practices as riparian buffers, stream crossings, fencing, animal waste management facilities, & filter strips. VT NRCS has 2 EQIP funding categories: first category is for applications addressing water quality problems associated with animal wastes and/or silage leachate. These applications contain requests for conservation practices associated with the construction, storage, transfer, handling, or application of animal wastes/wastewater and silage leachate. Second category includes all other applications that address nutrient, pathogens, and/or sediment loading issues. Applicant must complete 6 forms.
POLICY GOALS IMPLICATED
Security - Protecting water quality is of public interest because everyone needs clean drinking water, including future generations. Water is part of the public good–entire community needs to protect it. Farm Bill assistance programs aleviate a portion of the burden for individual farmers and share it with community. Equity - State of VT receives limited amount of funds for Farm Bill programs; funds not distributed based on need, but based on strict eligibility, as well as on a first-come-first-served basis. Many farmers are not aware of programs due to lack of outreach on behalf of program providers and because paperwork to apply for program is cumbersome--not equitable b/c not farmer-friendly. Cost-share can be significant so only those who can afford it can participate in program (not equitable). Liberty - Programs are voluntary so liberty is not threatened (unless participation in programs is caused by another policy). Efficiency - goal of efficiency is met when new measures actually increase farm's capacity and productivity over time. Cost savings significant over time for community at large (no price for clean water).
TOOL CHARACTERISTICS
Directness - EQIP is indirect tool; Federal program managed at state level depending on state prioritires (as well as national). VT NRCS determines who receives funding for practices. Once they are implemented, farmer must maintain them (or not). Coercion - EQIP is entirely voluntary so it is not coercive; however, EQIP may be the only option for a farmer who is enforced to implement VT Accepted Agricultural Practices (AAPs) and needs funding so applies for program. EQIP requirements may force farmers to implement practices in a way they don't want to just to receive the assistance. Automaticity - A system is in place to administer EQIP so it is fairly automatic from this perspective. Visibility - EQIP is visible in VT and federal budget, though could be more visible among recipients of program (farmers) and community members. NRCS does not conduct much outreach, and many nonprofits and the state help promote programs. Unknown if community members at large are aware of program.
EXTENT POLICY SUPPORTS/HINDERS
When EQIP is used voluntarily as it is intended it supports civic agriculture because a healthy environment will lead to healthier, more productive farms. Because the state of VT can leverage Farm Bill programs as resources to make farmers comply with other regulations (i.e. AAPs), EQIP can thwart local agriculture because of the potenitally unwanted cost-share requirement.
ADDITIONAL LINKS
http://www.ers.usda.gov/Features/farmbill/titles/titleIIconservation.htm http://www.crjc.org
http://www.vt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/EQIP/EQIP2006/EQIP2006_Vermont.html#Eligible%20Practices%20and%20Practice%20Cost%20Share%20Rates
