Resources for Producers
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative is the primary program organic producer use to access NRCS conservation assistance. Below you will find information on this year’s program as well as links to our favorite organic conservation planning resources.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative is the primary program organic producer use to access NRCS conservation assistance. Below you will find information on this year’s program as well as links to our favorite organic conservation planning resources.
FY 2012 EQIP Organic Initiative
Each fiscal year, NRCS will focus financial and technical assistance through the EQIP Organic Initiative to applicants who are:
- Certified organic producers
- Transitioning to organic production, or
- Producers selling less than $5000 organic products annually
The 2012 Organic Initiative provides financial assistance to implement a broad set of conservation practices to assist Organic producers meet their resource concerns and fulfill many of the requirements in an Organic System Plan (OSP) including, but not limited to assistance with:
- Developing a conservation plan
- Developing a transition to organic production plan
- Establishing boundaries and buffer zones
- Improving soil quality and organic matter while minimizing erosion
- Improving pest management
- Developing a grazing plan and improving grazing resources
- Improving waste utilization and composting
- Improving irrigation efficiency
- Enhancing cropping
systems and nutrient management
The EQIP Correlation Matrix compares the OSP and organic certification requirements with NRCS practices. Not all practices are appropriate in all areas; for a list of the specific practices offered in your state as part of the organic initiative.
For detailed information about the program, how to sign-up, and what the process looks like visit this wonderful NCAT/ATTRA document:
Additional Resources
NRCS EQIP Organic Initiative State Contacts
NRCS EQIP Organic Initiative Factsheet (PDF, 177KB)
NRCS State Technical Committees and Local Working Groups: A Guide for Organic Farmers and Ranchers, Organic Farming Research Foundation
Pollinator Conservation: Organic Farms, The Xerces Society
Biodiversity Conservation: An Organic Farmers Guide (PDF), Wild Farm Alliance
