NRCS Announces Ranking Period for Activity Plans and Organic Growers

MORGANTOWN, WV, April 13, 2009 —The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) from producers for financial support to develop Energy Management Plans, Integrated Pest Management Plans, and Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans. Producers will hire technical service providers from the private sector to write the plans and then be reimbursed by NRCS for a portion of the costs based on an established payment schedule. The reimbursement covers a portion of the costs to develop the plan only; costs of implementing the plan may or may not be eligible for payments under separate contracts with NRCS.

The 2008 Farm Bill provides NRCS with authority to provide organic growers an opportunity to compete for funds through EQIP. The program is directed to growers certified as organic according to the National Organic Program (NOP) and those transitioning to organic production. The primary focus of the program is to support the implementation of practices which help growers meet the provisions of the statute and the NOP Act. Successful applicants will be required to develop an Organic System Plan before installation of conservation practices to help achieve organic production and certification. Growers already as certified organic are eligible for financial assistance to install practices after they submit their existing plan.

Landowners must have their applications submitted to their local Agriculture Service Center by close of business on May 15, 2009 to be considered for funding this year. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) will accept applications after May 15, 2009, but they will not be evaluated until the next ranking period is announced. Both NRCS and FSA have Service Centers throughout the state to help landowners with the application process.

Additional information on EQIP and other conservation programs is available on the Web at www.wv.nrcs.usda.gov. You may also contact Bill O’Donnell, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, at (304) 284-7543 or bill.odonnell@wv.usda.gov.

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