By NANCY VORIS
Indiana Correspondent

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Organic producers and producers transitioning to organics have until May 20 to apply for federal funding assistance for the current funding cycle through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

More than $700,000 is available this year for Indiana producers to plan and implement conservation practices that are consistent with organic production. Examples include planting cover crops, establishing rotational grazing systems or implementing nutrient management systems consistent with organic certification standards.

“We encourage Indiana organic growers to apply now for this funding opportunity,” said State Conservationist Jane Hardisty, with NRCS, adding that applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

“This is the second funding opportunity offered this year to organic producers to help them get assistance in protecting natural resources. We would like to see these federal dollars go to Indiana organic producers, who continue to express interest in implementing conservation practices on their land.”
Participants may be awarded a maximum of $20,000 per year but no more than $80,000 over six years. The initiative may pay up to 75 percent of the costs and forgone income of certain conservation activity plans.

Not only are USDA-certified organic producers eligible for the funds, but also those who are transitioning to certified organic production and those who meet organic standards but are exempt from certification because their gross annual organic sales are less than $5,000.

All applicants must fill out a Conservation Program Application and establish a record with the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) at their local FSA Service Center, if they have not already done so. Certified organic producers must submit a copy of their current Organic System Plan and the name and contact information of the USDA-accredited certifying agent for their operation.
Producers transitioning organic production must submit a “self-certification” letter that states the applicant “agrees to develop and implement conservation practices for certified organic production that are consistent with an organic system plan.” Transitioning producers must also have contacted a USDA-accredited certifying agent that they plan to certify with, and provide NRCS with the name.

Organic Initiative funding is provided through NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a voluntary conservation program that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. Under EQIP contracts, the NRCS provides financial payments and technical assistance to help producers implement conservation measures in keeping with organic production.

The 2008 farm bill provided assistance specifically for organic farm operations and those converting to organic production. Fiscal year 2011 marks the third year of USDA’s Organic Initiative.

Organic farming is one of the fastest growing segments in U.S. agriculture. From 1992 through 2005, the acres of certified organic cropland rose from 403,000 to more than 1.7 million; organically certified pasture acres rose from 532,000 to over four million; and the total number of organic certified livestock rose from 11,000 to more than 196,000.

Producers interested in applying for EQIP Organic Initiative funding must submit applications through their local NRCS Service Center, which can be located through www.in.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/directory/field_offices.html