Using NRCS Programs for Organic Farms

What To Know About Using NRCS Programs for Organic Farms

Summary: The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers technical guidance and funding to help farms implement conservation practices. Programs like EQIP and CSP can support organic farms with soil health, biodiversity, and resource management. Contact your local NRCS office to explore options.

Getting started with NRCS

• Contact your local NRCS office. Staff will guide you through the process and visit your farm to discuss options.
• Timing matters. Sign-up is open year-round, but funding deadlines vary by state and year. Offseason contact is recommended.
• Be prepared. Bring your project ideas, but stay open to suggestions. NRCS staff may recommend improvements you hadn’t considered.
• Understand funding limits. NRCS programs may not cover the full cost of a project, but they provide clear details upfront.
• Check with your organic certifier. Some NRCS staff may not be experts in USDA organic regulations. Ensure any proposed changes align with your Organic System Plan (OSP).

For more information, check NRCS brochures for program language and terminology.

NRCS programs relevant to organic farms

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

• Provides financial and technical support for conservation practices on working agricultural land.
• Organic Initiative: Supports certified organic farms, transitioning farms, and exempt farms.
• Helps with practices important to organic production, such as:
  • Establishing buffer zones
  • Planting pollinator habitats
  • Improving crop rotations
  • Creating rotational grazing systems
  • Building nutrient management plans

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

• Offers technical assistance and payments for maintaining and expanding conservation practices.
• Relevant practices include:
  • Cover crops
  • Rotational grazing
  • Ecologically-based pest management
  • Buffer strips
• CSP is not specific to organic farms but many enhancements support organic methods, like reducing tillage.

For additional guidance, see the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s Grassroots Guide to Federal Farm and Food Programs, which includes EQIP, CSP, and farmer success stories.