USDA offers conservation funding to organic producers

BANGOR — Juan Hernandez, State Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), has announced that NRCS will provide funding to help organic producers and those transitioning to organic production implement resource conservation practices on their agricultural operations. The deadline for submitting applications for the Fiscal Year 2011 Organic Initiative, being made available as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), is March 4.

The 2008 Farm Bill provided funding specifically to help organic farmers and those agricultural producers transitioning to organic farming, and this initiative will help make organic food producers eligible to compete for EQIP funds.

“Fiscal Year 2011 marks the third year of this Organic Initiative,” said Hernandez. “Through this initiative we are able to help producers implement conservation practices, like planting cover crops, establishing integrated pest management plans, or implementing nutrient management systems consistent with organic certification standards. We are pleased to be able to offer this support to our organic growers again this year, with an allocated budget of $480,000.”

Successful applicants will receive funding to implement conservation practices that have been identified as needed to improve natural resource conditions. Not only do these practices offer significant environmental benefits, but they are also important to growers. Under this Organic Initiative, three practices will receive a higher payment rate based on organic production costs and requirements. The three practices are: (1) Cover Crop, (2) Herbaceous Weed Control, and (3) Mulching.

Applications can be taken at any time for this and any other NRCS program; however, only applications received by March 4 will be considered for this year’s funding for organic producers. If you are a certified organic producer you must submit an Organic System Plan (OSP) at the time of application along with proof of farm ownership. If you are a producer in transition to organic farming, you must provide proof of farm ownership and written self-certification agreeing to develop an OSP and implement conservation practices consistent with EQIP Statute and the OSP.

Under Organic Initiative contracts, producers are paid 75 percent of the cost for the organic conservation measures they implement. Beginning, limited resource, and socially disadvantaged producers are paid 90 percent. The program provides up to $20,000 per year per person or legal entity, with a maximum total of $80,000 over six years.

Interested producers should visit their local USDA Service Center to determine eligibility. USDA Service Centers are listed on-line at http://offices.usda.gov, or in the telephone book under United States Government, Agriculture Department. Additional information on the 2011 EQIP Organic Initiative is available at www.me.nrcs.usda.gov.

Since 1935, NRCS has provided leadership in a partnership effort to help America’s private land owners and managers conserve their soil, water, and other natural resources. NRCS employees provide technical assistance based on sound science and that is suited to a customer’s specific needs, and provides financial assistance for many conservation activities.