News
Last Chance for USDA Organic Initiative Applications
Lyons, Nebraska - Less than two weeks remain for organic producers as well as farmers and ranchers transitioning their operations to organic to apply for a special USDA initiative to encourage conservation practices. The 2010 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative will provide $50 million nationally to farmers and ranchers who qualify for the program.
"Perhaps the most attractive feature of this initiative is the 90% cost-share for beginning, limited-resource and socially-disadvantaged farmers and ranchers," said Traci Bruckner, Assistant Policy Director at the Center for Rural Affairs. "For beginning farmers and ranchers thinking about transitioning to organic, that means that if they qualify for this initiative they could receive as much as 90% of the cost of transitioning through this EQIP program."
According to Bruckner, producers have until March 12, 2010 to complete applications at their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office. The renewal of the EQIP Organic Initiative in 2010 reaffirms the administration's intent to promote and support organic agriculture through UDSA conservation programs. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and NRCS Chief Dave White initiated the EQIP Organic Initiative last year as part of USDA's growing commitment to improving and expanding organic acres nationally. Last year, 365 beginning farmers and ranchers received EQIP Organic Initiative contracts worth nearly $8.5 million, over 23% of the total value of all 2009 contracts.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for organic farmers and ranchers and those who are transitioning to organic - especially beginning farmers and ranchers. "There has never been a better time to transition to organic and this initiative helps farmers and ranchers limit the risk and cost of transition. For beginning farmers and ranchers considering transition, the 90% cost-share should be nearly irresistible," concluded Bruckner.
The Center for Rural Affairs has posted a 2010 EQIP Organic Initiative fact sheet that can be accessed at - http://www.cfra.org/2010-eqip-organic-initiative - and the Center is also operating a Farm Bill Helpline (402-687-2100) to provide additional assistance. "The Center has a long history of assisting family farmers and ranchers access new USDA programs. Through our helpline farmers and ranchers can speak to a real person who is knowledgeable about the program rules and help them understand how to access and participate in programs such as the EQIP Organic Initiative," Bruckner continued.
The Center for Rural Affairs was established in 1973 as an unaffiliated nonprofit corporation under IRS code 501(c)3. The Center for Rural Affairs was formed by rural Nebraskans concerned about family farms and rural communities, and we work to strengthen small businesses, family farms and ranches, and rural communities.
"Perhaps the most attractive feature of this initiative is the 90% cost-share for beginning, limited-resource and socially-disadvantaged farmers and ranchers," said Traci Bruckner, Assistant Policy Director at the Center for Rural Affairs. "For beginning farmers and ranchers thinking about transitioning to organic, that means that if they qualify for this initiative they could receive as much as 90% of the cost of transitioning through this EQIP program."
According to Bruckner, producers have until March 12, 2010 to complete applications at their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office. The renewal of the EQIP Organic Initiative in 2010 reaffirms the administration's intent to promote and support organic agriculture through UDSA conservation programs. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and NRCS Chief Dave White initiated the EQIP Organic Initiative last year as part of USDA's growing commitment to improving and expanding organic acres nationally. Last year, 365 beginning farmers and ranchers received EQIP Organic Initiative contracts worth nearly $8.5 million, over 23% of the total value of all 2009 contracts.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for organic farmers and ranchers and those who are transitioning to organic - especially beginning farmers and ranchers. "There has never been a better time to transition to organic and this initiative helps farmers and ranchers limit the risk and cost of transition. For beginning farmers and ranchers considering transition, the 90% cost-share should be nearly irresistible," concluded Bruckner.
The Center for Rural Affairs has posted a 2010 EQIP Organic Initiative fact sheet that can be accessed at - http://www.cfra.org/2010-eqip-organic-initiative - and the Center is also operating a Farm Bill Helpline (402-687-2100) to provide additional assistance. "The Center has a long history of assisting family farmers and ranchers access new USDA programs. Through our helpline farmers and ranchers can speak to a real person who is knowledgeable about the program rules and help them understand how to access and participate in programs such as the EQIP Organic Initiative," Bruckner continued.
The Center for Rural Affairs was established in 1973 as an unaffiliated nonprofit corporation under IRS code 501(c)3. The Center for Rural Affairs was formed by rural Nebraskans concerned about family farms and rural communities, and we work to strengthen small businesses, family farms and ranches, and rural communities.
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