2010 EQIP Organic Initiative Deadline is March 12, 2010

Updated Program Information Available on OFRF Website

Now is the time to apply for the USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative. USDA has again allocated $50 million for this program, which serves certified organic growers and those transitioning to organic farming systems. The program provides financial and technical assistance to growers to implement conservation practices relevant to organic agriculture. Interested producers have until March 12, 2010 to sign up for the 2010 program. To sign up, visit your USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) local service center.

Eligible Applicants
The EQIP Organic Initiative is available to agricultural producers who are:

• Interested in transitioning to organic.
• In the process of transitioning to organic.
• Already certified organic and interested in transitioning more acreage to organic.
• Already certified organic and interested in adopting conservation measures on their farm.
• Already certified organic and interested in transitioning more acreage to organic AND adopting conservation measures on their farm.

Organic producers who are exempt from certifying are still eligible to participate in the program. Additional information on eligibility is listed on our EQIP Organic Initiative Resource Page.

If you applied to the Organic Initiative in 2009 and your application was deferred, you will receive a letter from the NRCS informing you of your options.

Payments

Producers who receive EQIP Organic Initiative contracts with NRCS are paid 75 percent of the cost for the organic conservation measures they implement. Beginning, limited resource, and socially disadvantaged producers (those considered “historically underserved” by the USDA) are paid up to 90 percent. The program provides up to $20,000 per year with a maximum total of $80,000 over six years.

March 12 is the last day to submit your application for this year’s funding. The process can be complicated, so we urge you to start now.

More Information

OFRF has updated information about the 2010 EQIP Organic Initiative, including application instructions, criteria for applying, information about the practices and payment schedules, and a list of organizations that assist growers in their state, on our EQIP Organic Initiative Resource Page. This page will be updated as needed, so check back frequently.

Organic and transitioning producers can also apply for the regular EQIP, which funds on-farm conservation activities, but not specifically related to organic farming systems. This program has higher payment limits, but the application process is much more competitive due to the larger number of applicants. The 2010 ranking cutoff date for the regular EQIP may have passed in your state – check your state’s NRCS website for more information.

If you have any questions, please contact Tracy Lerman, OFRF Policy Organizer, at tracy@ofrf.org or 831-426-6606 x 108.

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