Oregon’s Organic Farmers and Ranchers May Apply for Funding Through June 5

Organic EQIP Deadline Extended in Oregon
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact information:
Bill White, NRCS Program Manager: (503) 414-3085, Bill.White@or.usda.gov 

PORTLAND, OR, May 18, 2009 –Oregon farmers and ranchers transitioning to organic production or already certified as organic, now have until June 5, 2009 to apply for technical and financial assistance through a new initiative, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced this week.

More than $1 million in funding is available to eligible producers in Oregon as part of the Organic signup of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Although Oregon producers have until June 5 to submit applications, farmers and ranchers in other states may still need to get their applications in before the original May 29 deadline.

Organic producers can receive up to $20,000 per year or $80,000 over six years through this initiative.

Nationally, six core practices have been identified by NRCS that are likely to be needed by many growers associated with organic production systems. Due to increased costs for conservation practices related to organic operations, NRCS is increasing the standard payment rate for these core practices. The core practices are: Conservation Crop Rotation; Cover Crop; Nutrient Management; Pest Management; Prescribed Grazing; and Forage Harvest Management.

In addition to the core practices, there are a number of additional practices that can qualify for funding through this initiative. A complete list of eligible practices, payment rates and other information about the 2009 EQIP Organic Initiative are available on the Oregon NRCS Web site at: www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/organic.html.

The 2009 EQIP 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. Applicants must either have an organic system plan that meets the NOP guidelines or certify that they are working toward one. (For more information go to www.ams.usda.gov/nop/).

Organic producers may also apply for assistance under general EQIP. NRCS accepts applications for general EQIP throughout the year on a continual basis.

Interested producers can determine their eligibility and submit an application at their nearest USDA Service Center, listed with federal agencies in the telephone book and posted online at: http://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/basindir.html.
 

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