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NRCS ANNOUNCES SIGN-UP EXTENSION FOR NEW ORGANIC INITIATIVEPhoto of vegetables displayed on a farm stand

USDA Organic logoSYRACUSE, New York, May 20, 2009 - State Conservationist Astor F. Boozer of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces an extension for considering applications for a new organic initiative available to organic agricultural producers and those producers transitioning to organic in New York.

Funding for the initiative is being made available as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). EQIP Organic Initiative applications submitted by June 12 will be considered for 2009 program funding.

"Assisting organic producers is a priority of the 2008 Farm Bill,” said Boozer. "The objective of this initiative is to make organic food producers eligible to compete for EQIP financial assistance."

The 2009 EQIP Organic Initiative is a nationwide special initiative to provide financial assistance to National Organic Program (NOP) certified organic producers as well as producers in the process of transitioning to organic production. Over $800,000 is available for NY agricultural producers for the implementation of conservation practices to address resource concerns consistent with organic production. Organic producers may also apply for assistance under general EQIP.

The EQIP Organic Initiative highlights the implementation of six core conservation practices that will address specific resource concerns.

The “Core 6” practices are:

  • Conservation Crop Rotation

  • Cover Crop

  • Forage Harvest Management

  • Nutrient Management

  • Pest Management

  • Prescribed Grazing

Additional eligible practices include, but are not limited to:

  • Fence

  • Grassed Waterways

  • Riparian Forest Buffers

  • Stripcropping

  • Watering Facilities

Individual applicants can receive a maximum of $80,000 over the life of the 2008 Farm Bill, and no more than $20,000 in any one year.

Applications received from organic producers or producers in transition to organic farming will be accepted under this initiative until June 12. Ranking criteria has been established based on resource concerns that link to the NOP objectives and the core conservation practices.

The 2009 EQIP Organic Initiative is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Interested producers should visit their local USDA NRCS office to determine eligibility and apply for the program. Additional information on the 2009 EQIP Organic Initiative is available at the NRCS New York - Programs Web page.
 



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