Who is Eligible for EQIP Organic Initiative Funds?

• Growers and/or livestock producers who are starting or in the process of transition to organic production.
• Growers and/or livestock producers who are currently certified organic and are transitioning new land to organic production.
• Growers and/or livestock producers who are currently certified organic and are implementing new conservation practices on their farm.

There is a requirement that the land is currently certified or in the process of becoming certified. In addition, Organic EQIP applicants must meet eligibility requirements for the regular Environmental Quality Incentives Program. For more detailed information, go to:  http://www.or.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/Eligibility09.html. 

Payments are related to resource conservation and are not solely for production enhancement.  If the producer does not maintain their adherence to the organic standards and could no longer be considered as pursuing organic certification, the EQIP contract would be terminated and subject to cost recovery.

If producers who sell less than $5,000 in agricultural products elect to pursue organic certification and voluntarily transition to organic certification, they are eligible to participate in this signup.

Transitioning organic producers must sign a self-certification form detailing their intention to develop and implement an approved organic system plan and become certified organic. The NRCS will evaluate transitioning farmers annually to verify they are following their plan as submitted in their application. If they do not complete their organic transition, some funding dollars may need to be repaid.

Certified organic farmers are required to submit their approved organic system plan to the NRCS.   The NRCS will verify current organic certification status on an annual basis.