USDA Receives Funding for New Organics Initiative

$471,000 in Funding Available in Maine

Note:  Deadline has been extended to June 12, 2009

Bangor, ME – May 8, 2009 – Juan Hernandez, State Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), has announced that Maine has received more than $471,000 for a new initiative to meet the Obama Administration’s promise to encourage more organic agriculture production. Funding for the initiative is being made available as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

“The 2008 Farm Bill provided funding specifically to help organic farmers and those agricultural producers transitioning to organic farming,” said Hernandez. “This initiative will help make organic food producers eligible to compete for EQIP funds.”

Successful applicants will receive funding to implement six priority conservation practices designed to improve natural resource conditions. Not only do these practices offer significant environmental benefits, but they are also important to growers. The six practices are: (1) Crop Rotation, (2) Cover Crop, (3) Nutrient Management, (4) Pest Management, (5) Prescribed Grazing, and (6) Forage Harvest Management.

Applications received from organic producers or producers in transition to organic farming will be accepted under this initiative between May 11 and May 29, 2009. Applications will be ranked at that time. If you are a certified organic producer you must submit an Organic System Plan (OSP) at the time of application along with proof of farm ownership. If you are a producer in transition to organic farming, you must provide proof of farm ownership and written self-certification agreeing to develop an OSP and implement conservation practices consistent with EQIP Statute and the OSP.

Note that applications can be taken at any time for this and any other NRCS program; however, only applications received by May 29 will be eligible for this year’s funding for organic producers.

Interested producers should visit their local USDA Service Center to determine eligibility. USDA Service Centers are listed online at http://offices.usda.gov, or in the telephone book under United States Government, Agriculture Department.

Maine EQIP Website
National EQIP Website

< Back to News Releases...