The USDA has announced its plan to allocate $75 million towards providing conservation aid to producers making the transition to organic production. The investment is part of the Organic Transition Initiative (OTI), which involves multiple agencies. The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will provide financial and technical assistance to support a new organic management standard. They will also partner with organic technical experts to improve staff capacity and expertise. The investment includes funds from the 2020 CARES Act and aims to create new and better markets, strengthen local and regional food systems, increase the availability of affordable food, promote climate-smart agriculture, and ensure fairness for all producers.
"Producers transitioning to organic can count on NRCS for assistance through the process,” said NRCS Chief Terry Cosby. “By strengthening our technical proficiency and providing technical and financial assistance through new tools and practices, we can better support producers through the challenges of organic transition.”
Direct Farmer Assistance
NRCS has allocated $70 million to aid producers in adopting a new organic management standard through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The NRCS aims to support producers in implementing the new standard by offering flexibility in terms of assistance and education. This includes attending workshops and seeking guidance from experts or mentors. The standard requires conservation practices that are necessary for organic certification and may also provide compensation for any losses in production during the transition period. Additionally, underserved producers such as socially disadvantaged, beginning, veteran and limited resource farmers and ranchers may be eligible for higher payment rates and other options.
How to Apply:
- Eligible producers include farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, and other producers beginning or in the process of transitioning to organic certification.
- NRCS will announce state-specific deadlines later this year, after which producers can apply through NRCS at their local USDA Service Center.
