EQIP Organic Initiative
 

Applications can be submitted year round to be considered for financial assistance.  NRCS offers technical and financial assistance for conservation practices related to organic production through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative. In 2010, NRCS in New Hampshire dedicated more than $280,115 to the EQIP Organic Initiative.

Assistance is available for agricultural producers who are:

• currently certified organic farmers

• transitioning to certified organic production

• meeting organic certification standards but are exempt from certification because of their gross annual organic sales are less than $5,000

Please contact your local NRCS Office to start the planning and application process.

General Program Information

• Individuals, groups and entities who own or manage certified organic operations or operations that are transitioning to certified organic are eligible to apply.

• Contracts can last from 2 to 10 years.

• Payments are limited to $20,000 per participant annually or $80,000 over a 6 year period.

• There is no minimum acreage requirement to apply for EQIP, however, projects that address significant resource concerns are more likely to receive funding.

• Beginning, socially disadvantaged and limited-resource farmers may be eligible for higher payment rates. Click on the links to find out if you are eligible.

• Participants will be reimbursed for part of the cost of installing conservation practices after the practices have been installed. Many participants choose to finance associated costs through the Farm Service Agency (FSA), or other private lending agencies. Beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers may be eligible to receive up to 30 percent of their NRCS payments in advance for purchasing materials or contracting.

• You may sign up for this program at any time through your local NRCS office. Applications are accepted all year, but are reviewed in a competitive ranking process when funding becomes available - usually once each year.

Benefits of the EQIP Organic Initiative - for the environment and your farm

Under the Organic Initiative, participants will receive help implementing a variety of conservation practices including crop rotation, cover crop, field border, pasture and hay planting, pest management, nutrient management, seasonal high tunnels, and organic transition plans.  Many practices directly supporting an organic/transition farming operation are being offered at higher payment rates than standard EQIP program rates.  Those applying for this special funding will be competing only among other organic/transitioning farmers.

Fiscal Year 2011 Documents

The following is the latest Organic Practice List for the Fiscal Year 2011 EQIP Organic Initiative.  It requires Adobe Acrobat.

2011 EQIP Organic Practice List (55.3 KB pdf)

 

For More Information

National Organic Initiative Web Site
Find your local NRCS Office

NH Organic Contact

Brandon Smith, Resource Conservationist
(603) 868-7581

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