EQIP
Have an EQIP contract? We'll handle the rest.
Nourishing Burn biochar is eligible under USDA's NRCS Conservation Practice Standard 336 (Soil Carbon Amendment). Whether you already hold an EQIP contract or are just getting started, Cold Steppe helps with contracting, sourcing, application, and documentation - so the cost share works for you, not against you.
What EQIP is.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a USDA-NRCS cost-share program that helps producers implement conservation practices on land already in production. Applications are accepted year-round, with state-specific ranking dates for each funding cycle. Biochar application qualifies under Conservation Practice Standard 336 — Soil Carbon Amendment.
Where are you in the process?
I have an EQIP contract (or have applied).
In addition to providing biochar, we can arrange delivery and application from our trusted network - roughly 100 acres in a single day - and provide the amendment analysis documentation CPS-336 requires, produced from testing by an IBI-certified lab (Soil Control Labs). You farm; we handle logistics and paperwork.
I'm considering applying.
It all starts with your local NRCS office - they'll walk your fields and build a conservation plan. Tell them you're interested in Practice Standard 336 (Soil Carbon Amendment) and are applying - and let them know you'd like to be included in NRCS's Regenerative Pilot Program, which has additional dollars set aside. Cold Steppe can help you every step of the way - from initial introduction, to understanding tentative approval, through contracting and execution.
How it works.
- 01
Contact us
Your contract status, county and acreage.
- 02
We confirm CPS-336 fit
We scope the rate against your resource concern, 1 to 5 tons per acre.
- 03
Delivery and application
Dates set, with the level of service for transport and spreading.
- 04
Documentation
We hand over the amendment analysis and application records NRCS requires.
- 05
Share your data
Yield, soil and water results - and we pay you for them.
Economics
What the cost share covers.
Per acre, step by step - the same walkthrough we do with you one on one.
Fair market value of the practiceSet by USDARead more
NRCS sets what a biochar application is worth per acre, for your county and your application rate. Every line below works off that one number.
USDA cost share, under CPS 336USDA coversRead more
Conservation Practice Standard 336 covers the standard 75% of that value. Historically Underserved Producers may qualify for 90% - ask your NRCS office whether you do.
The balance above the cost shareNot covered by USDARead more
The USDA expects farmers to cover a portion of the cost. We work with you to help drive this number as low as possible.
Material, delivery and applicationNot covered by USDARead more
Part of what the cost share is applied against. We can handle freight to your farm and spreading.
Net payment to youPaid to youRead more
What is left of the cost share once the material is paid for. It covers your implementation, soil testing and shipping on the contract.
During the 1:1 we'll provide you with an illustrative estimate for your ground. EQIP works on a reimbursement basis: after application, NRCS certifies the practice (photo documentation, GPS boundaries, delivery invoice) and typically reimburses within 3–5 business days. Cold Steppe provides the documentation package.
Additional incentives.
Data Sharing Incentive
Get compensated for sharing your data (yield, soil health, and water data) that you're already collecting.
Implementation Assistance
Ask about our Implementation Assistance program - for large, high-volume and/or long-term contracts.
Common questions
EQIP, answered.
Go to the source
Read the standard yourself.
How the program works, what it funds biochar under, how a state actually implements it, and the form that lets us talk to your field office.
- Environmental Quality Incentives ProgramHow EQIP works, direct from USDA.NRCS
- CPS 336 - Soil Carbon AmendmentThe NRCS practice standard biochar is funded under.NRCS
- Missouri's CPS 336 guidanceHow a state actually implements the practice.NRCS Missouri eFOTG
- NRCS-CPA-1270 consent packThe form that lets us speak to your field office, plus what you are authorizing.PDF, 4 pages
Tell us where you are.
Contract status, county and acreage is enough to get started.