MISSION
STATEMENT

The Lorain Soil & Water Conservation District provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain and improve the natural resources and environment in Lorain County.

 

NRCS-USDA
42110 Russia Road
Elyria, OH 44035-6813
Phone: 440.323.5648 Ext. 3
FAX: 440.326.5807








Environmental Quality Incentive
Program (EQIP)


The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is continuously accepting applications.

Applicants can contact Derrick Harmon, NRCS, District Conservationist, or Rocemi Morales, NRCS, Resource Conservationist, with questions and to complete an application.

Eligibility to participate in USDA programs must be filed at the Lorain County Farm Service Agency (FSA).

See the EQIP page of the USDA NRCS website for more information.

General

[Photo: Roofed feedlot and waster storage
structure – Rochester Twp.]

The Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) is the primary, financial-based, conservation program administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). EQIP provides one-time incentive payments for the installation of a wide variety of conservation practices.

EQIP is focused on agricultural land that is used for crop or livestock production. The goal is to help sustain and improve lands used for agriculture including cropland, grassland, farmstead and livestock facilities.

Special EQIP funding is also available for forestry, organic and specialty crop farming.


Eligibility

To qualify for EQIP applicants need to be USDA “program eligible” and need to have produced at least $1000 in agricultural income annually for the last 5 years.

Applications

[Photo: Liquid fertilizer storage structure –
New Russia Twp.]
for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program can be accepted anytime at the NRCS office. The cutoff for annual funding cycle is usually during the winter months. Applicants are selected based on a ranking scale that evaluates potential improvement to soil and water quality and general environmental benefit.

Beginning farmers (less then ten years experience), those classified as Limited Resource Farmers (LRF) and participants meeting the definition of Socially Disadvantaged will all receive special consideration.

Once applicants are selected for funding a plan and contract will be developed. Engineering practices will need to be surveyed and designed. Once all this work has been completed work can begin, usually the following summer.


Funding Levels

On the average Lorain County has been able to secure approximately $125,000 in EQIP funds annually. Projects are funded at the following cost-share level:

  1. Approximately 75% of state average costs for all conservation practices.

Cost share levels are based on average annual costs as developed by NRCS at a state level. Costs in excess of 100% average costs are the responsibility of the contract holder.



[Photo: Diversion Ditch – critical area stabilization –
Lagrange Twp.]


Available Conservation Practices
CONSERVATION PRACTICES AVAILABLE FOR FUNDING THROUGH EQIP
  • Animal Waste Storage Facilities
  • Composting facility
  • Gutters and Downspouts
  • Settling Basin

    [Photo: Stream protection fencing project –
    Rochester Twp.]
  • Filter strip
  • Grass Waterway
  • Erosion Control Structure
  • Water/Sediment Control Structures
  • Nutrient/Pest Management
  • Crop Residue Management
  • Fencing
  • Access Road
  • Pasture and Hayland Seeding
  • Heavy Use Area Protection
  • Agrichemical Storage facility
  • Wetlands
  • Critical Area Seeding
  • Streambank Stabilization
  • Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP)
  • Windbreak
  • Tree Planting
  • Timber stand Improvement

EQIP contracts can be developed so that practices are scheduled for anywhere from one to three years. All practices are installed and certified under the direction of NRCS.


Special Program Notes:
  1. Conservation practices that have already been installed are not eligible for EQIP.
  2. Funded contracts must be completed. Failure to complete a contract can result in penalties, even if no funds have been disbursed.

Livestock fencing – Grafton Twp.

Contact

For additional information contact Rocemi Morales at the address above.



 

 
June 17, 2026