EQIP money for organic and transitioning farmers - urgent action to meet short sign up window

[Cassi A Johnson]

Please see below for information regarding a funding opportunity for organic and transitioning farmers:

In a significant policy win for sustainable agriculture, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan has announced $50 million in funding for an Organic Initiative within the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). 

The 2008 Farm Bill mandated a substantially increased recognition of, and emphasis on organic practices and organic transition under the EQIP, the Conservation Stewardship Program and other USDA conservation programs.  Initial rule making for the 2009 EQIP program failed to reflect the Farm Bill mandate. Now, in a better-late-than-never move, the new Deputy Secretary has announced the Organic Initiative, with a last-minute signup this May.  In order to complete contracts and commit funds within the 2009 fiscal year, applications need to close on May 29. 

The program will be offered again next year.  However, it is important to demonstrate strong interest in the program during the current signup in order to ensure continued funding at current levels in future years. 

Therefore, if you feel you can make good use of this program to help effect a transition into organic production, transition more acres or more head of livestock, or strengthen your conservation program on certified organic land, by all means apply. 

And if you are not in need of this program, but know someone else in Tennessee who might be interested or might benefit from it - especially any farmer who is initiating or considering Organic Transition - please forward this to them.

If you are a farmer and are:
        - seeking to transition part or all of your farm to organic production, or
        - already a certified organic producer on part of your land and seeking to transition additional acreage, or
        - an organic producer seeking to adopt additional conservation measures,

you are eligible to apply for NRCS EQIP cost share funds to help you implement a Conservation Action Plan as part of your Organic Systems Plan (part of USDA organic certification) or Organic Transitions Plan, especially for the following priority areas:

        Resource conserving crop rotations
        Cover crops
        Nutrient management
        Pest management
        Prescribed grazing
        Forage harvest management

Contracts for organic conversion assistance under the EQIP Organic Initiative are limited to $20,000 per year, and to a maximum of $80,000 over a six year period.  There is also a separate pool of funds for providing technical assistance; such assistance is in addition to the $20K per year / $80 K total maximum for a contract.

If you would like to apply for funding during the current Fiscal Year, contact your local NRCS office MONDAY MAY 11 to inquire and to initiate your application process.    Sign-up begins May 11 and goes through Friday May 29 (three weeks).

Fore more information please follow this link to a document, issued by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition:  http://sustainableagriculture.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/eqip_organic_initiative_memo09may5.pdf.


Thanks,

Cassi Johnson, MS

Director, Food Security Partners of Middle Tennessee

Vanderbilt Institute for Public Policy Studies

1207 18th Ave South

Nashville, TN 37212

615-322-5638

www.foodsecuritypartners.org

 

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