Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Support for Organic Growers

Updated 07/06/2009

Introduction

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was reauthorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) to provide a voluntary conservation program for farmers and ranchers that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. EQIP offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land.

In addition, the 2008 Farm Bill included provisions for use of EQIP to provide opportunities for organic growers as well as requirements related to adherence to National Organic Program (NOP) requirements and new program payment limitations.

General EQIP Organic Initiative Information

The 2008 Farm Bill highlights the availability of financial and technical assistance to help producers of all commodities meet their conservation goals, including producers transitioning to organic farming and currently certified organic producers. The assistance from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the EQIP program helps producers plan and implement conservation practices to allow their organic operations to be environmentally sustainable. EQIP is primarily used to provide financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices to address soil, water, air, plant, animal, and energy resources. A new organic provision targets organic producers and producers transitioning to organic production:

• Assistance is for conservation practices related to organic production
• Assistance is limited to $20,000 per year and $80,000 during a six year period
• Producers are required to develop and carry out an Organic System Plan (OSP) or carry out practices consistent with an OSP
• Producers must be pursing an organic certification or in compliance with their organic certification

Organic Technical and Support Information

NRCS National Bulletin with Guidance for Implementation of the Organic Initiative during Fiscal Year 2009 (NB300-9-20 issued May 18, 2009)
NRCS Organic Technical Support
Links to Organic Agriculture Web Resources
NRCS Technical Service Provider Information

2009 Organic Farming Program Information

The documents below require Adobe Acrobat Reader:

Organic Farming “At a Glance” Fact Sheet (PDF, 52KB)

NRCS Organic Guidance Bulletin for Fiscal Year 2009 (PDF, 212KB)

NRCS Organic State Contacts List (PDF, 21KB)

Organic Farm NRCS State Contacts