Organic Producers Provided Another Opportunity for Initiative

May 28, 2009

DES MOINES, IA, May 28, 2009— Iowa organic producers may still apply for $1.4 million in special initiative financial assistance through June 12 at their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office. NRCS will consider applications for the USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) organic initiative for an additional ranking cut-off date if received between June 1 and June 12.

This initiative will provide financial assistance for installing key conservation practices to Iowa farmers transitioning to organic production or already certified as an organic producer.

According to EQIP Program Coordinator Dave Brommel, EQIP signup is continuous so producers may submit an application to their local service center at any time. “But to be considered for funding now, producers must submit applications by June 12,” he said.

Organic producers can receive up to $20,000 per year or $80,000 over six years through this initiative. Under the Organic Initiative required minimum core conservation practices will be determined by specific resource concerns. The core practices are: Conservation Crop Rotation; Cover Crop; Nutrient Management; Pest Management; Prescribed Grazing; and Forage Harvest Management. Other practices offered through this Initiative include: Animal Mortality Facility, Composting Facility, Residue and Tillage Management, No-Till/Strip Till/Direct Seed, Contour Farming, Contour Buffer Strips, Residue and Tillage Management, Ridge-Till, Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment, Fence, Field Border, Pasture and Hay Planting, Pipeline, Heavy Use Protection Area, Stripcropping, Watering Facility, and Windbreak/Shelterbelt Renovation.

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. All applicants must have an organic system plan that meets the NOP guidelines.

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