NRCS Funding Available To Small, Uncertified Organic Farms - UNL CropWatch, May 13, 2011

NRCS Funding Available To Small, Uncertified Organic Farms - UNL CropWatch, May 13, 2011

May 13, 2011


Submit applications for this round of funding by May 20.

Nebraskans who produce and sell organic products with annual sales of less than $5,000 may be eligible for financial and technical assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Service Organic Initiative. Agricultural producers may be eligible even if their operations are not certified organic, but they must apply for assistance by May 20.

Craig Derickson, state conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), says this is a good time for small-scale, certification-exempt organic producers to take advantage of this program. The Organic Initiative pays up to $80,000 over six years to help plan and implement conservation practices on organic operations.

“You don’t have to be a large-scale farmer who has gone through the organic certification process to benefit from this program,” Derickson said. “This organic funding is designed to assist anyone involved in organic food production.”

The funding is available through the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). In addition to small-scale producers, those certified through USDA’s National Organic Program and those transitioning to certified organic production are eligible.

To apply for the EQIP Organic Initiative, or to get more information about EQIP and other NRCS programs, contact your local NRCS office.

NRCS News Release
 

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