How do I get a business plan?

• Local First Arizona Ag Business Boot Camp - walk out of this 8-week course with a completed business plan

How do I get an FSA number?

• USDA one-pager – 4 Steps to Assistance - Getting FSA Number

What is a growing history?

A "growing history" is documentation of how long you have been growing/ranching on a parcel of land and related resource use. To access EQIP funding, you must be able to have enough data to prove you are experiencing a resource inefficiency that can be addressed with a conservation plan. The length of time for which you need to have collected that data differs depending on the specific crop and resource concern, though generally they are at least a year. 

What is a resource concern?

A resource concern appears when a soil, water, air, plant, animal, or energy resource has been degraded to the point that use of the resource is impaired. Resource concerns may include:

• Erosion

• Compaction

• Groundwater or surface water depletion

• Irrigation inefficiencies

• Water contamination

• Soil contamination

• Emissions impacting human, plant, or animal health

• Plant productivity and health

• Improving habitats for agricultural animals

• Operation energy use

In order to access EQIP funding, you must be able to measurably demonstrate issues in one one of these areas. After reaching out to an NRCS office, a conservation planner will conduct a site visit and take measurements to determine if you are eligible. See here for all eligible resource concerns as well as the criteria NRCS uses to determine eligibility.

How do EQIP payments work?

Financial assistance received through EQIP is not a grant. EQIP payments are structured as a rebate program. Producers utilizing EQIP financial assistance will receive regularly scheduled, standardized payments over a set period of time. These payments are not structured as reimbursements; your regular payments will be the same regardless of how much money you spend on the project.

How much are EQIP payments?

EQIP payments may or may not cover the entire cost of equipment upgrades. EQIP does not cover labor for installation. 

I understand that I need to cover the cost of my EQIP project up front - are there any funding sources to help cover those costs until I receive my rebates?

Yes, the organization Food System 6 operates the EQIP Bridge Loan Program, which provides a 0% interest loan for costs associated with EQIP projects. This program is designed so that producers with active EQIP contracts receive loan funding from Food System 6 and pay back the loan with their rebate payments. 

Do I have to pay for technical assistance received through NRCS?

No. Conservation planners and other NRCS staff conduct site visits and evaluate resource concerns free of charge to the producer. Depending on your resource concern, NRCS may need to bring in outside contractors; NRCS can provide financial assistance for hiring approved Technical Service Providers. 

I need to improve my agricultural skills - can NRCS help me with that?

NRCS does not provide resources relating to growing specific crops or raising specific animals. Organizations like the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension are better equipped to support you to improve your agricultural skills. If on Navajo Nation or Tohono O’odham Nation, we also recommend you reach out to extension agents at Diné College or Tohono O’odham Community College. 

I need support meeting these requirements - who can I reach out to?

Local First Arizona is able to provide one-on-one technical assistance for food producers throughout Arizona. If you would like support meeting any of these requirements, please reach out to Local First’s Resilient Food Team at resilientfood@localfirstaz.com and one of our technical assistance providers will be in touch with you!