DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR ORGANIC PRODUCERS  INTERESTED IN CONSERVATION
 

Contact:  Christina Coulon, 614-255-2471

COLUMBUS, May 19, 2009. The deadline for submitting applications for funding consideration in 2009 for the voluntary conservation program Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), has been extended until Friday, June 12, 2009, for organic producers or those transitioning to organic production in Ohio. Applications submitted after that date will be held for the 2010 funding cycle.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers EQIP, which was reauthorized in the 2008 Farm Bill with an emphasis on providing assistance to organic producers. Terry Cosby, Ohio NRCS State Conservationist stated, “We want to give enough time for organic producers or those producers transitioning to organic production to submit applications for EQIP. We haven’t worked with this group of producers extensively in the past so we want to ensure they are aware of the conservation opportunities offered by NRCS.”

The special Organic EQIP initiative was announced by NRCS earlier this month. Through Organic EQIP, Ohio organic farmers or those Ohio farmers transitioning to organic production, have nearly $1 million available to address their unique natural resource concerns. An individual producer can receive up to $20,000 per year or $80,000 over six years.

Certified organic producers will need an organic system plan (OSP) when applying for Organic EQIP. Producers transitioning to organic production must submit a letter stating their intent to become certified. "Farmers with an OSP have typically accomplished much of the work needed to develop an NRCS conservation plan," says Cosby. “Participating in the Organic EQIP will result in a complete conservation system.”

Six core conservation practices have been identified as practices likely needed in an organic production system. These six practices include conservation crop rotation, cover crops, nutrient management, pest management, prescribed grazing, and forage harvest management. A higher payment will be offered for these practices under Organic EQIP.

Visit your local NRCS office for more information about Organic EQIP, or visit us on the web at www.oh.nrcs.usda.gov.


 

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