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2013 Organic Initiative

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for Organic Production
 

The application ranking periods are:

   ◊  November 16, 2012 has been extended to December 21, 2012
   ◊  February 15, 2013 
   ◊  April 19, 2013


Conservation funding is available to organic producers and those transitioning to organic production in Oregon. Financial and technical assistance is available through the Organic Initiative under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

EQIP is a voluntary program that provides assistance to growers and landowners who want to plan and install measures to protect the soil, water, air and other natural resources on their working land. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers EQIP.

The EQIP Organic Initiative signup 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 the General EQIP program that is open to both organic and non-organic producers.


Technical and Financial Assistance

Through the EQIP Organic Initiative signup, farmers, ranchers and dairy operators may apply for financial assistance and technical expertise to plan and install conservation measures, such as:

  • Buffer Strips,
  • Conservation Crop Rotation,
  • Cover Crops,
  • Field Borders,
  • Mulching,
  • Nutrient Management,
  • Pest Management,
  • Residue Management,
  • and more.

Growers may not receive EQIP payments for conservation work they have already undertaken.

2013 EQIP Organic Initiative Practice Payment Lists and Payment Rates

The document below requires Microsoft Excel

2013 EQIP National Organic Initiative Practice Payment List (XLS, 55 KB)
2013 EQIP National Organic Initiative Practice Payment List – Historically Underserved (XLS, 46 KB)


Program Benefits for Historically Underserved Clients

EQIP provides enhanced benefits to historically underserved program participants. Click here for more information about historically underserved clients.


Eligibility

To be eligible for the program, applicants must be farmers or ranchers who earn a minimum agricultural income and meet other EQIP program requirements. For more detailed information, go to: EQIP Eligibility. Eligible lands for the Organic Initiative are Cropland, Headquarters, Pasture and Rangelands. 

Other eligibility criteria for the organic initiative are:

  • Certified Organic Producer -- must provide NRCS with a copy of their Organic System Plan (OSP) and must maintain their certification for the life of the contract.
  • Transition Organic Producer -- must self-certify that they agree to develop and implement an Organic System Plan (OSP) and provide NRCS with contact information of the applicant's USDA accredited organic certifying agent.
  • Organic Producers selling less than $5,000 per year -- will need to self-certify that they agree to develop and implement an Organic System Plan (OSP).

The document below requires Adobe Acrobat Reader

National Worksheet and Self-Certification Form (PDF, 24 KB)


How to Apply

To participate in the program, growers must work with NRCS to identify and plan conservation measures. NRCS works with farmers and ranchers to develop a conservation plan that includes a detailed description of the conservation activities and practices they want to implement on their land.


Funding Selection and Priorities

Priorities for EQIP funding are based on identified natural resource needs that are consistent with state and national EQIP priorities. Applications that best address natural resources as described in the ranking criteria are prioritized for funding. 

EQIP National, State and Local Ranking Questions


For More Information

The document below requires Adobe Acrobat Reader

FY13 Organic Initiative Flyer (PDF, 858KB)

NRCS National Organic Web Page

Contacts

Todd Peplin
NRCS Farm Bill Specialist
625 SE Salmon Avenue, Suite 4
Redmond, Oregon 97756-9580
Phone: (541) 923-4358 ext 131
Email: todd.peplin@or.usda.gov

Denise Troxell
NRCS State Agronomist
1201 NE Lloyd Blvd, Suite 900
Portland, Oregon  97232
Phone:  (503) 414-3232
Email:  denise.troxell@or.usda.gov


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