Increasing the adoption of organic farming practices through NRCS training

Coordinator: Kathie Starkweather, Center for Rural Affairs, Lyons, Nebraska
Project location: Nebraska and North Dakota

Summary:
The 2008 Farm Bill contains new provisions that encourage organic farming. This project will modify and deliver a tested organic education program to NRCS staff in Nebraska. After review and evaluation, the model will be delivered to agency staff in North Dakota. The end result will be agency staff in these two states that can assist farmers and ranchers in applying for and participating in these Farm Bill programs.

While this is good news for the organic community, these programs will become effective only if NRCS personnel are fluent enough in organic practices and policies to successfully write and administer contracts.

Experience with a four-year EQIP organic transition pilot project in Nebraska showed several needs: 1) experienced organic farmers need informed NRCS staff to help them apply for program benefits; 2) inexperienced farmers need informed NRCS staff to explain the procedures and benefits of organic certification and farming practices; 3) inexperienced NRCS staff and farmers need contacts with experienced organic growers and certifying organizations for practical guidance and support for organic transition and farming/marketing practices.

Objectives of this project are:

1. Develop a training curriculum to be used through all of Nebraska and North Dakota NRCS offices;
2. In year 1, train Nebraska NRCS and other agency staff on the new Farn Bill provisions for organic transition, principles of organic farming and requirements of organic certification;
3. In year 2, take the electronic training program and the lessons we learned in Nebraska to north Dakota NRCS.

Read the October 2009 project update from Center for Rural Affairs.

A final report describing the results of this project is expected in July 2010.