Funds available for N.J. farmers supporting USDA’s organic initiative

Farmers seeking U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding to help with conservation practices for organic producers and those transitioning to organic production must do so by March 4.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has allocated up to $284,000 to support the Organic Initiative of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in New Jersey, according to a USDA press release.

“We are able to offer a new opportunity for farmers in 2011,” State Conservationist Don Pettit said in the press release. “Funding is available for Conservation Plans to Support Organic Transition (CPSOT), which will help organic producers address resource issues with conservation practices that are consistent with organic farming principles.”

Conservation plans to support organic transition must be written by a certified technical service provider, an expert with credentials in the organic transition process and conservation practice standards and specification. Farmers transitioning to organic production must have a CPSOT in order to participate in NRCS’s organic initiative in New Jersey. Farmers can sign up for the plan and conservation practices at the same time.

“Last year we were able to utilize $263,000 in New Jersey through the organic initiative to help producers implement conservation practices,” Pettit said. “Many of our organic participants received assistance to plant cover crops, establish integrated pest management plans, and implement nutrient management systems consistent with organic certification standards.”

Eligible producers include those certified through USDA’s National Organic Program, those 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, according to the USDA.

Fiscal year 2011 marks the third year of USDA’s organic initiative, and up to $50 million is available nationally this year for producers to plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns in ways that are consistent with organic production. In fiscal year 2010, NRCS obligated nearly $24 million across the country through the organic initiative, according to the press release.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program is a voluntary conservation program administered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. The 2008 Farm Bill EQIP provided for assistance specifically for organic farm operations and those converting to organic production.

Under an organic initiative contract, producers are paid a practice payment rate for each implemented practice. Beginning, limited resource and socially disadvantaged producers are paid at a higher practice payment rate. The program provides up to $20,000 per year per person or legal entity, with a maximum total of $80,000 over six years, according to the USDA.

New Jersey farmers and farm managers can apply for these funds through their local Natural Resources Conservation Service office. Office locations can be found at www.nj.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis, with the cutoff date for funding set for March 4.