General Information

USDA is allocating $50 million of funds through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to be set aside for a new Organics Initiative to assist organic farmers and those transitioning to organic. 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.

The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) is administering the EQIP Organic Initiative. To apply, producers should visit their local NRCS Service Center. Use the NRCS Service Center locator to find the one closest to you - offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?agency=nrcs

Update: Some states have extended the deadline to apply for the EQIP Organic Initiative past May 29. Call your state NRCS office to find out if your state extended their deadline. To find your state NRCS office visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/organization/regions.html.

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

Resources for Farmers
Web Resources
Organizations Providing Assistance to Farmers
This resource list will be updated as needed, so please check back. If your organization has web-based information and/or expertise in assisting farmers applying for EQIP and wants to be listed here, contact Tracy Lerman, Policy Organizer, at tracy@ofrf.org.

Web Resources
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) has a webpage with in-depth information about the EQIP Organic Initiative -
www.sustainableagriculture.net/our-work/conservation-environment/organic-initiative/

The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) has information and a list of Frequently Asked Questions for the EQIP Organic Initiative - www.mosesorganic.org/attachments/projects/eqipfunds.html

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) has a webpage with comprehensive information on the EQIP Organic Initiative - www.attra.ncat.org/eqip/

Read OFRF's latest OFAN alert on the EQIP Organic Initiative - www.ofrf.org/action/ofan/090507_alert.html

Organizations Providing Assistance to Farmers (listed alphabetically)
Agriculture & Land Based Training Association (ALBA)
Chris Goodson - (831) 227-5404
ALBA provides assistance to beginning and limited-resourece farmers, especially those who prefer to communicate in Spanish.

Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network (ASAN)
Karen Wynne - (256) 520-2400 or wynnekaren@hotmail.com
ASAN can help answer farmers' questions about the EQIP Organic Initiative in Alabama.

Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems at the University of Wisconsin - Madison (CIAS)
Regina Hirsch - (608) 262-5200 or regina.hirsch@sbcglobal.net
CIAS can help clarify conservation practices for the organic standards.

Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA)
Farm Bill Helpline - (402) 687-2100
CFRA's Farm Bill Helpline will provide assistance to farmers in accessing the EQIP organic initiative.

Florida Organic Growers (FOG)
Marty Mesh - (352) 377-6345 or fog@foginfo.org
FOG can explain EQIP to growers and help coordinate with Florida's Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Georgia Organics (GO)
Karen Adler - (404) 633-4534 or (404) 843-3386 (mobile) or karen@georgiaorganics.org
Jonathan Tescher - (678) 702-0400 x 204 or jonathan@georgiaorganics.org

Hawai'i Organic Farmers Association (HOFA)
Sarah Townsend, Deborah Ward, or Hi'iaka Kahalewai - Toll-free: (877) ORG-ISLE (674-4753)
Maui: (808) 572-1846, Hilo: (808) 969-7789 or hofa@hawaiiorganicfarmers.org
HOFA can help direct farmers to EQIP resources in their districts within the state of Hawai'i.

Kansas Rural Center
Mary Fund or Ed Reznicek - (785) 873-3431 or ksrc@rainbowtel.net
Kansas Rural Center helps Kansas farmers transitioning to organic practices through EQIP.

Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)
Harriet Behar (888) 551-4769 or harriet@mosesorganic.org
MOSES can assist farmers in Wisconsin who want to apply for the EQIP Organic Initiative.

National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT)
ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service Hotline -
(800) 346-9140 (English); (800) 411-3222 (Spanish)

New Mexico Organic Commodity Commission (NMOCC)
Joan Quinn - (505) 841-9067 or joan.quinn@state.nm.us
NMOCC can provide assistance with Organic Systems Plans and can direct producers to helpful New Mexico EQIP resources.

Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts Chapter (NOFA/Mass)
Kate Rossiter - (413) 498-2721 or krossiter@nofamass.org
NOFA/Mass can assist farmers who want to apply for the EQIP Organic Initiative.

Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, Inc. (NOFA-NY)
Robert Perry - (607) 423-8716 or robert.organicdairy@nofany.org
NOFA-NY is developing technical support programming for organic farmers and transitioning farmers, including NRCS EQIP assistance.

Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (NODPA)
Ed Maltby - (413) 772-0444 or emaltby@comcast.net
NODPA can assist organic livestock operations in applying for EQIP and other federal grant programs.

Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Association
Mike Anderson - (614) 421-2022 or mike@oeffa.org
OEFFA provides educational resources to farmers wishing to transition to organic production methods.

Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI)
Sarah Carlson - (515) 232-5661 x 305 or sarah@practicalfarmers.org
PFI can assist farmers in applying for EQIP, coordinate with Iowa's Natural Resource Conservation Service, and provide ideas for new practices they might implement.

Page updated May 19, 2009.