2009 EQIP for Organic and Specialty Crop Producers

Application Ranking Period Extended!
Apply by June 12, 2009 to be considered for funding in 2009.

News Release - May 19, 2009

2009 Organic Initiative

The 2009 Organic Initiative is a nationwide special initiative to provide financial assistance to National Organic Program (NOP) certified organic producers as well as producers in the process of transitioning to organic production.  Organic producers may also apply for assistance under general EQIP.

Definitions

Specialty Crops - Fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, nursery crops, and floriculture. Also referred to as horticulture crops.

Organic production—Production system managed in accordance with the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and subsequent Federal regulations. Organic production systems respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.

Organic certification—Agricultural products grown and processed according to USDA's national organic standards and certified by a USDA-accredited State or private certification organization. Certifying agents review applications from farmers and processors for certification eligibility and qualified inspectors conduct annual onsite inspections of organic operations. Certifying agents determine whether operators are in compliance with organic production standards.

Organic Producers Only

The Organic Transition Support provision makes conservation practices related to organic production and transition eligible for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) payments, subject to a $20,000 annual limit and an $80,000 cap over a 6-year period.

Producers who are applying for EQIP assistance to transition to organic production will be required to submit a self-certification letter stating that they "agree to develop and implement conservation practices for certified organic production that are consistent with an organic system plan." 

Sample Self-certification letter

An Organic System Plan (OSP) means a management plan for organic production or for an organic handling operation that has been agreed to by the producer or handler and the certifying agent.  The OSP includes all written plans that govern all aspects of agricultural production or handling.

Am I eligible?

General EQIP eligibility criteria apply for organic and specialty crop producers.

What is available?

A number of conservation practices have been identified that may be of special interest to organic and specialty crop producers.  All practices that are available as part of general EQIP are also open to organic and specialty crop growers.  Six Core Conservation practices have been identified as those practices which are likely to be needed by many growers association with organic production systems. 

List of practices

How do I apply?

Application signup is an ongoing process and can be done online or completed at your local USDA Service Center with NRCS.  The deadline for submitting applications to be ranked in fiscal year 2009 is June 12, 2009. 

EQIP Application Process

Questions and Answers

• What organic growers need to know about NRCS

• What conservationists need to know about organic growers

Organic Agriculture Web Resources

Program Contact:

Ta Trecia Wesley
Phone: 614-255-2467

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