For Immediate Release:
May 15, 2009
|
Contact: |
Ted Quaday
Communications Director
831/426-6606 |
New USDA Organic Initiative Now Accepting Applications
OFRF Provides Farmers and Ranchers with Application Resources
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- Organic farmers and ranchers and those transitioning to organic are now applying to the US Department of Agriculture for funds to help improve and expand the number of organic acres in production. The USDA recently announced availability of $50 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to be set aside for the Organic Initiative.
Under the program, current organic producers and those transitioning to organic may contract to implement a special set of conservation practices and conservation planning. To ensure consideration for a contract from current funds, producers must file an EQIP Organic Initiative application no later than May 29.
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, and producers are urged to check it frequently.
“Time is short, and the program is evolving even as applications are being submitted. We’ll be updating our resource list regularly, and we urge producers to check the site frequently for the latest information,” said Tracy Lerman, OFRF policy organizer.
OFRF is also seeking connections with other farm organizations experienced in providing assistance to farmers applying for EQIP. Contact Lerman at tracy@ofrf.org to be listed among the resource groups on OFRF’s web site.
Here are several useful links for more information:
Core practices under the program 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. Under the Organic Initiative each of the core practices provides a higher payment rate per acre than the regular EQIP program.
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.
About the Organic Farming Research Foundation
The Organic Farming Research Foundation was founded in 1990 to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems. OFRF sponsors organic farming research and education projects, disseminates the results to organic farmers and to growers interested in adopting organic production systems, and educates the public and policymakers about organic farming issues. The majority of OFRF’s board members are working organic farmers.
Learn more about OFRF and its work at ofrf.org.
|
