The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is an essential initiative that gives thousands of farmers the tools they need to implement sustainable practices, such as cover cropping, across the country. 

Yet, a majority of farmers are unable to access EQIP funding. In 2022, only 26.57% of EQIP applicants in Minnesota were awarded contracts, on par with the nationwide statistic of 26.88%. Additionally, we spend more than $800 million of EQIP funds on infrastructure practices that often support practices on concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and mega-cropping operations that provide little environmental benefit. 

The EQIP Improvement Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mike Lee (R- UT), would redirect support towards farmers and ranchers that need it the most by targeting funding to more producers and prioritizing conservation practices with significantly greater environmental and water quality benefits. The bill:

1. Reduces the maximum EQIP grant from $450,000 to $150,000. EQIP can reach more farmers without increasing funding by providing smaller grants to many more farmers, rather than large grants to a smaller number of producers.
2. Eliminates the requirement that 50% of EQIP funding flow to livestock operations. Many of these dollars are spent on CAFOs. Some of these CAFO-focused practices, such as waste facility covers and waste storage facilities, are among the most expensive EQIP practices.

The EQIP Improvement Act will reshape EQIP to be more equitable and effective.
The offices of Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Tina Smith, and Rep. Angie Craig all committed to looking at the bill and are considering signing on. It is a timely moment to contact them in support of this legislation!