2013 EQIP Organic Initiative
Certified organic Austrian Winter Pea cover crop. Organic special initiative under EQIP Lake County, Montana.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program provides financial opportunities for organic producers to address natural resource concerns related to organic production, as well as requirements related to adherence to the National Organic Program (NOP) requirements and certain program payment limitations.
How The Organic Initiative Works
This assistance helps producers plan and implement conservation practices to allow their organic operations to be environmentally sustainable. Some highlights of the organic provisions in the 2008 Farm Bill and requirements for participation in the program include:
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Financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices and planning related to addressing resource concerns associated with organic operations
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Financial assistance is limited to totals of a maximum of $20,000 per fiscal year AND no more than $80,000 over a rolling six year Farm Bill for ALL contracts approved through this authority
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Producers must meet all the other eligibility requirements associated with EQIP
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Participants are required develop and work toward implementing an Organic System Plan (OSP) to meet NOP organic certification through USDA
2013 EQIP Organic Initiative
Each fiscal year, NRCS will focus financial and technical assistance through the EQIP Organic Initiative to applicants who are:
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Certified organic producers
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Transitioning to organic production, or
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Producers selling less than $5000 organic products annually
The 2013 Organic Initiative provides financial assistance to implement a broad set of conservation practices to assist organic producers meet their resource concerns and fulfill many of the requirements in an Organic System Plan (OSP) including, but not limited to assistance with
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Developing a conservation plan
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Developing a transition to organic production plan
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Establishing boundaries and buffer zones
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Improving soil quality and organic matter while minimizing erosion
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Improving pest management
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Developing a grazing plan and improving grazing resources
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Improving waste utilization and composting
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Improving irrigation efficiency
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Enhancing cropping systems and nutrient management
Guide for Selection of Conservation Practices and Transition to Organic Conservation Planning FAQs
Screenshot of the Matrix. Click to download (PDF, 53KB)
To help provide better understanding of how EQIP and NOP work together to help organic producers, a Guide for Selection of Conservation Practices to Support Organic Operations Matrix (PDF, 53KB) has been developed. It compares the NOP requirements, OSP, and organic certification with benefits of EQIP-funded conservation practices.
NRCS is also making available a Frequently Asked Questions on Conservation Planning with Transitioning to Organic Producers (PDF, 118KB), to field staff and producers. It gives NOP and NRCS definitions of organic-related terms, answers questions about the Initiative, CAP 138 and more.
Although EQIP supports a wide variety of conservation practices, not all practices are appropriate in all areas. Your local NRCS field office will have a list of the specific practices offered in your State as part of the organic initiative.
USDA Organic Literacy Initiative - Is Organic for Me?
The USDA Organic Literacy Initiative is designed to help connect current and prospective organic farmers, ranchers, and processors with appropriate USDA resources:
Webinar
USDA Organic Toolkit introduces the Organic Toolkt and Organic Training Modules;explains how to complete Organic Training and describes USDA's organic resources.
Brochure
Is Organic an Option for Me? is a nine page overview for farmers, ranchers and handlers who are interested in going organic.
Training Modules
These web-based courses teach what USDA Organic Certification is and how to achieve it.
For more information, see http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMv1.0/organicinfo
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Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants include persons or entities who are certified organic, transitioning to organic production, or those producers selling less than $5000 organic products annually, and have related natural resource concern on the agricultural operation. The applicant must demonstrate control of eligible land in agricultural production. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, and other farm or ranch lands. Applicants must submit a program application and other documentation to support eligibility to be considered for financial assistance through EQIP.
Contact your local NRCS field office for more details regarding eligibility and application requirements.
NRCS staff will work with the program applicant to develop a conservation plan and an EQIP plan of operations. This plan becomes the basis of the EQIP contract between NRCS and the participant.
How To Apply
Applications for the EQIP Organic Initiative are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the fiscal year. However, State Conservationists have may establish up to 8 evaluation periods for financial assistance programs. Evaluation periods may vary by initiative based on available funding by State.
In addition to the eligibility information outlined on the EQIP program website, each producer applying for the EQIP Organic Initiative must complete the National Screening Worksheet. A producer must self certify they have or are working towards organic certification, and meet one of the following categories:
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Certified Organic
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Transitioning to Organic
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Exempt from Certification
Producers who would like to receive regular EQIP Organic Intiative program updates, or who have questions about the Initative, can email the Initiative staff.
