Apply for USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative in Montana
This initiative dedicates assistance to producers implementing a new organic management standard in their transition to organic production. NRCS accepts applications year-round, but applications for the current funding cycle must be submitted by June 1, 2023.
BOZEMAN, Mont., May 11, 2023 – The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Montana is accepting applications for the Organic Transition Initiative. This initiative dedicates financial and technical assistance to a new organic management standard. NRCS accepts applications year-round, but applications for the current funding cycle must be submitted by June 8, 2023.
NRCS will dedicate $70 million nationwide to assist producers with a new organic management standard under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). NRCS will help producers adopt the new organic management standard, which allows flexibility for producers to get the assistance and support they need. It supports conservation practices required for organic certification.
Higher payment rates and other options are available for underserved producers including socially disadvantaged, beginning, veteran, and limited resource farmers and ranchers.
Eligible producers include farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, and other producers beginning or in the process of transitioning to organic certification.
To apply, and for more information on EQIP, please contact your local NRCS Field Office. You can also get more information about the Organic Transition Initiative at farmers.gov/organic.