USDA Announces $50 million in Funding for Organic and Transitioning Producers Applying to EQIP –
Initial Application Period Starts May 11, 2009
In an historic move to support organic farmers and ranchers and those transitioning to organic, the USDA is allocating $50 million of funds through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to be set aside for a new Organic Initiative.
Current organic producers and those transitioning to organic will be eligible to receive contracts for implementing conservation practices and conservation planning under the program, but they’ll have to act fast. Applications will be accepted beginning Monday, May 11, 2009. To ensure consideration for assistance from this pool of funds, producers must file an EQIP Organic Initiative application no later than May 29.
Core practices include: conservation crop rotation; cover cropping; nutrient management; pest management; prescribed grazing; and forage harvest management. States may also decide to add other practices in addition to these six core practices. Organic and transitioning farmers can also still apply to EQIP for other EQIP conservation practices that are not part of the Organic Initiative. Farmers who want to apply for EQIP should call or visit their local USDA service center.
A resource page listing organizations that can help producers apply for the EQIP program is available on the OFRF website. This page will be updated as needed, so please check it frequently. If your organization has experience providing assistance to farmers applying for EQIP and wants to be listed on our resource page, please email Tracy Lerman, OFRF Policy Organizer as soon as possible: tracy@ofrf.org.
Here are several useful links for more information:
The USDA press release announcing the Organic Initiative
OFRF’s press release on the EQIP Organic Initiative
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition webpage on the EQIP Organic Initiative
The USDA Service Center Locator
OFRF's resource page for farmers applying to EQIP
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact Tracy Lerman, OFRF Policy Organizer, at tracy@ofrf.org or (831) 426-6606 x 108.
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