USDA ANNOUNCES $50 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR ORGANIC PRODUCTION

Initial Application Period Began May 11, 2009

SACRAMENTO, May 12, 2009 - The USDA has announced the allocation of $50 million in funds to be set aside for a new organic initiative through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Current organic producers and those transitioning to organic will be eligible to receive contracts for implementing conservation practices and conservation planning under the program, but they’ll have to act fast. Applications were accepted beginning Monday, May 11, 2009 and producers must file an application no later than May 29.

Core conservation practices include: conservation crop rotation; cover cropping; nutrient management; pest management; prescribed grazing; and forage harvest management. Organic and transitioning farmers may also still apply to EQIP for other conservation practices that are not part of the organic initiative. More information is available at www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/.

California is the leading organic food producer in the nation.