New Organics Initiative Funding Application Extension Announced

MORGANTOWN, WV, May 19, 2009 — The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is extending the ranking period for Organics Initiative Funding through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Initiative applications received from organic producers or producers in transition to organic farming will now be accepted until June 12, 2009. This is an extension of the May 29, 2009, deadline announced earlier. Applications received after June 12, 2009, will be accepted, but they will not be evaluated until the next ranking period.

NRCS is also accepting applications from producers for financial support to develop Organic Activity 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 2009 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,” said Kevin Wickey, West Virginia State Conservationist. Organic producers may also apply for assistance under general EQIP.

The 2009 Organic Initiative required minimum core conservation practices are determined by specific resource concerns. The practices are: Conservation Crop Rotation, Cover Crop, Nutrient Management, Pest Management, Prescribed Grazing, and Forage Harvest Management. States must consider using any appropriate practice that meets the specific resource concern on a particular operation.

To assist with eligibility questions there are two separate National Screening Tools for applicants (one for producers transitioning for the first time and one for certified organic producers transitioning additional land or adding additional conservation practices). Ranking criteria has been established based on resource concerns that link to the NOP objectives and the core conservation practices.

The 2009 Organic Initiative is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Interested producers should visit their nearest USDA Service Center to determine eligibility. Additional information on the 2009 EQIP Organic Initiative is available at: www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/

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