USDA Funding Available to Pennsylvania Organic Producers

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Natural Resources Conservation Service's State Conservationist, Denise Coleman announced that $759,000 in funding is available to help Pennsylvania organic producers and transitioning producers implement soil and water conservation practices on their agricultural operations. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis, but March 4, 2011 is the cutoff to submit applications for 2011 funding.

"The Organic Initiative enables Pennsylvania producers to use funding to plant cover crops, establish grazing systems, and implement nutrient management systems consistent with organic certification standards," said Coleman. "Last year, Pennsylvania NRCS funded more than $600,000 through the Organic Initiative to help producers implement conservation practices."

Eligible producers include farmers who are certified organic, transitioning to certified organic, or organic exempt according to USDA's National Organic Program regulations. Under an Organic Initiative contract, producers are paid a practice payment rate for each implemented practice. Beginning, limited resource, and socially disadvantaged producers are paid at a higher practice payment rate. The program provides up to $20,000 per fiscal year per person or legal entity, with a maximum total of $80,000 over six years.

The 2008 Farm Bill provided for assistance specifically for organic farm operations and those transitioning to organic production. Organic Initiative funding is provided through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a voluntary conservation program administered by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality.

Producers interested in applying must submit applications through their local USDA Service Center, which can be located online at http://offices.usda.gov. Additional information is available online at www.pa.nrcs.usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

SOURCE USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service