USDA Financial Assistance Available to Michigan Producers Transitioning to Organic Production
As part of the USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is targeting conservation financial assistance through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
EAST LANSING, Jan. 7, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making financial assistance available to Michigan agricultural producers transitioning their operations to organic production. As part of the USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is targeting conservation financial assistance through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program.
NRCS will dedicate conservation financial assistance to producers with a new organic management standard under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Financial assistance can be used for developing organic management plans. Producers must submit applications by Feb. 14, 2025, to be considered for the current round of 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.
Higher payment rates and other options are available for underserved producers including socially disadvantaged, beginning, veteran, and limited resource farmers and ranchers.
How to Apply
Eligible producers include farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, and other producers beginning or in the process of transitioning to organic certification. Applications can be submitted at the producer’s local USDA Service Center.