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New USDA Initiative Offers $1.4 Million to Iowa Organic ProducersMay 6, 2009 DES MOINES, IA, May 6, 2009— Iowa farmers transitioning to organic production or already certified as an organic producer may qualify for a new initiative providing more than $1.4 million in financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which is administered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). According to EQIP Program Coordinator Dave Brommel, producers must submit applications by May 29 to be included in the initial ranking for funding. “However, EQIP signup is continuous so producers may submit an application to their local service center at any time,” he said. Organic producers can receive up to $20,000 per year or $80,000 over six years through this Initiative. Due to increased costs for some conservation practices related to organic operations, NRCS is increasing the standard payment rate up to 60 percent for some practices. 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. (For more information go to www.ams.usda.gov/nop/). Organic producers may also apply for assistance under general EQIP. Additional information on the 2009 EQIP Organic Initiative is available at: www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/. -30- Contact: |
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