NOP: Organic Grants, Conservation Training and Local Ag in NV

Are you a(n):

• Organic inspector?
• Crop adviser?
• Organic farmer
• Non-government employee that works with organic and sustainable farmers?

You are a good candidate to become a Technical Service Provider (TSP) on behalf of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). TSPs are individuals or businesses that have technical expertise in conservation planning and design for a variety of conservation activities.  

TSPs are hired by farmers, ranchers, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, or public agencies to provide these services (including writing Conservation Activity Plans for farmers transitioning to organic production).   

The TSP registration and approval process involves required training and verification of essential education, knowledge, skills and abilities.  

As recipients of an NRCS-funded Conservation Innovation Grant, the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and 10 partners present the first of four webinars on becoming a TSP:

NCAT and their partner organizations are also offering webinar-based training on the conservation benefits of the following practices:

• Crop rotations
• Pest management in organic systems
• Tropical and semi-tropical organic production

A fourth webinar explains the links between the USDA organic regulations' biodiversity requirements and the NRCS practice standards.

View Webinars

NRCS: Organic Farming  

These efforts are designed to better integrate sustainable and organic agriculture production systems into NRCS planning and programs.  The 10 organizations joining NRCS and NCAT is this effort include:  

• Center for Rural Affairs
• Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
• National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
• Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service
• Organic Farming Research Foundation
• Virginia Association for Biological Farming
• Florida Organic Growers, Kansas Rural Center
• Wild Farm Alliance
• Land Stewardship Project
• Practical Farmers of Iowa

USDA awarded the Nevada Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with Hungry Mother Organics, with $45,747 to assess demand for locally grown and organic fruits and vegetables in the Hispanic community of northern Nevada.

Nevada growers can then use these insights to improve their effectiveness in marketing to diverse consumers.

About the Grant
The Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP) provides matching funds to State agencies to help explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products. This program also encourages research and innovation aimed at improving the efficiency and performance of the marketing system. Learn more.