Overview of New York Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative 2009

What is the EQIP Organic Initiative in New York?

Organic Farming is one of the fastest growing segments in U.S. Agriculture. The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) includes the availability of financial and technical assistance to help producers of all commodities meet their conservation goals. It specifically provides opportunities for organic producers and those transitioning to organic farming. The Organic Initiative is a subset of the EQIP.

EQIP is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to eligible agricultural producers who are willing to address priority environmental issues by implementing conservation practices. It is administered by the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

Application Date Extended!

Applications for the Organic Initiative will be accepted up until June 12, 2009.

• Am I eligible?

• What are the eligible practices?

• What is the funding?

• How are payment levels determined?

• Are there options for historically underserved farmers?

• What are the contract obligations?

• What do I need to do to apply?

• What do I do next?

• How can I find out more?

• What are some of the resources available to assist me?

• How do I become a Certified Organic producer?

Am I eligible?

The EQIP Organic Initiative is open to agricultural producers who are certified organic or are transitioning to organic. In order to be eligible, producers who are transitioning to organic certification must implement conservation practices for certified organic production what are consistent with an Organic System Plan (OSP). Those producers who are certified organic must submit a copy of their OSP to NRCS and implement conservation practices that are consistent with the OSP. Applicants must meet eligibility for Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) certification and be in compliance with the Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation Provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985 as amended.

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What are the eligible practices?

The EQIP Organic Initiative will highlight six "core" conservation practices:

The list of eligible practices include but are not limited to:

• Conservation Crop Rotation (328)

• Cover Crop (340)

• Forage Harvest Management (511)

• Nutrient Management (590)

• Pest Management (595)

• Prescribed Grazing (528)

For a complete list of eligible conservation practices, please refer to the table of Payment Schedules on this page.

More information about Conservation Practices can be found at the USDA NRCS Electronic Field Office Technical Guide (eFOTG).

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What is the funding?

The EQIP Organic Initiative allows eligible producers to apply for up to $20,000/year not to exceed $80,000 over six years.

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How are payment levels determined?

Each eligible conservation practice has a Practice Payment Rate (PPR) which is a fixed amount based on a percentage of the state average cost of a typical installation of that practice.

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EQIP Organic Incentive - Fact Sheet (PDF; 34 KB)
A printable version of the information presented on this Web page. Does not include Payment schedules.

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Are there options for historically underserved farmers?

The 2008 Farm Bill offers program opportunities for "Historically Underserved" individuals and groups. The Practice Payment rate for "Historically Underserved" is higher than the general rate.

These groups are:

• Socially Disadvantaged Groups

• Limited Resource Farmers and Ranchers

• Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

• Indian Tribes

To learn more, please visit our Web page, Opportunities for Historically Underserved Clients.

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What are the contract obligations?

EQIP contracts are limited to a maximum of ten years in length. Those applicants who agree to implement all practices within three years will receive higher priority through the ranking process. At least one practice from the contract must be started in the first twelve months, and no practices may be scheduled in the last year of the contract. Producers can be held financially liable for unfulfilled contracts.

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What do I need to do to apply?

You need to sign form NRCS-CPA-1200, Conservation Program Application. Applications for 2009 for the EQIP Organic Initiative must be received by June 12, 2009. Forms are available at your local USDA NRCS office or you can download the form.

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NRCS CPA-1200, Conservation Program Application (PDF; 33 KB)

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What do I do next?

After applying at your local NRCS office, an NRCS conservationist will help you finalize a conservation plan, including selecting conservation practices consistent with the Organic System Plan. Your application will be ranked based upon national and state ranking criteria. You will be notified once funding decisions have been made.

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How can I find out more?

Contact your local USDA NRCS office, or visit the NRCS national EQIP Support for Organic Growers Web site.

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What are some of the resources available to assist me?

The NRCS New York Organic Agriculture Web page provides links to valuable resources for new and established organic producers.

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How do I become a Certified Organic producer?

If you are seeking certification as a Certified Organic producer, please contact an Accredited Certifying Agent.

The USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) Web site maintains a list of Accredited Certifying Agents in New York State.

The New York State Department of Ag and Markets Web page provides an introduction to New York State organic farming and food and provides some guidance in locating resources available to learn more about organic agriculture and organically produced foods. The site also provides guidance on how to become a Certified Organic producer.

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New York EQIP Organic Program Manager

Dianna Power
Syracuse, New York
Telephone: 315-477-6508

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