New Organics Initiative Sign-Up Period Extended

Contact: Joyce Purcell
Assistant State Conservationist-Programs
(860) 871-4028
May 20, 2009

TOLLAND, CT—  Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist for Connecticut Douglas L. Zehner today announced the sign-up period for the new organics initiative has been extended to June 12, 2009.

Two weeks ago, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced a new initiative that will meet the Obama Administration’s promise to encourage more organic agriculture production. Funding ($50 million, nationwide) for the initiative is being made available as part of NRCS’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

“Assisting organic producers is a priority,” said Zehner. “The objective of this initiative is to make organic food producers eligible to compete for financial assistance through the EQIP Program.”

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. Organic producers may also apply for assistance under general EQIP.

Under the Organic Initiative, required minimum core conservation practices will be determined by specific resource concerns. These practices include 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 resource concern on a particular operation.

Applications received from organic producers or producers in transition to organic farming will be accepted until COB June 12, 2009. Applications will be ranked at that time.

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.

Interested producers should visit their nearest USDA Service Center to determine eligibility. Additional information on the 2009 EQIP Organic Initiative is available online. A fact sheet is available, as well.

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