CropWatch, Feb. 25, 2010: March 12 Deadline for EQIP Conservation Funds for Organic Ag Production

CropWatch, Feb. 25, 2010: March 12 Deadline for EQIP Conservation Funds for Organic Ag Production

February 25, 2010

March 12 is the cutoff date for applications for the Organic Initiative of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Steve Chick, State Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, said Nebraska producers who are transitioning to organic agriculture, or who are currently certified organic, may apply for financial assistance through EQIP. If approved, they can receive up to $20,000 per year or $80,000 over six years to implement conservation practices. USDA NRCS, which administers EQIP, has set aside $1.5 million in EQIP funds to help Nebraska organic producers and those who are transitioning to organic production.

Applications for the EQIP Organic Initiative are taken continuously throughout the year, but to be considered for Fiscal Year 2010 funding, producers need to have an application signed and returned to their local NRCS office by March 12, 2010. Funding selections will be made on or before May 1, 2010.

Chick says EQIP applicants who are certified organic will need to bring a copy of their organic system plan (OSP) and name and address of their USDA accredited certifying agent when applying for financial assistance. Applicants who are transitioning to organic, will certify their intentions to transition to organic and must provide the name of the USDA accredited certifying agent they have contacted.

A number of conservation practices may be funded through the EQIP Organic Initiative, including cover crops, crop rotations, fencing and watering for rotational grazing, high tunnels for seasonal crops, and field borders.

Some participants are eligible to receive a higher payment rate; those are limited resource farmers, beginning farmers, and socially disadvantaged groups. For more information, go to www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/SLB_Farmer/.

Visit your local USDA Service Center and talk to the NRCS staff about the EQIP Organic Initiative, conservation planning, and other programs available to help protect natural resources. For more information about EQIP, go to www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov/programs and click on EQIP Organic Initiative.

USDA NRCS News Release
 

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