NRCS Texas announces assistance to producers transitioning to organic as part of USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas has announced an additional Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) signup for the Organic Transition Initiative (OTI). Under this initiative, NRCS will dedicate financial and technical assistance to a new organic management standard and partner with new organic technical experts to increase staff capacity and expertise. Producers must submit their applications by Jan. 26, 2024, to be considered for FY24 funding.

While applications are accepted year-round, applications submitted after Jan. 26, 2024, will be considered for the next available funding. 

NRCS will help producers adopt the new organic management standard, which allows flexibility for producers to get the assistance and education they need such as attending workshops or requesting help from experts or mentors. It supports conservation practices required for organic certification and may provide foregone income reimbursement for dips in production during the transition period. 

Applying for Assistance

Eligible producers include farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, and other producers beginning or in the process of transitioning to organic certification. For more information or to sign up for this opportunity, producers should contact NRCS through their local USDA Service Center. Local NRCS Field Offices and FSA County Offices can be located using the USDA Service Center Locator.

For more information, visit farmers.gov/organic.

Producers can also apply for NRCS programs, manage conservation plans and contracts, and view and print conservation maps by logging into their farmers.gov account. If you don’t have an account, sign up today.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.