The Natural Resources Conservation Service is announcing a sign-up for the Organic Transition Initiative (OTI) through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Applications are due by June 15 for producers who are beginning or in the process of transitioning to organic certification.

The funding is part of the $70 million in American Rescue Plan funding for technical and financial assistance as part of the OTI. 

The OTI-specific practices included under EQIP in this sign-up are:

• Organic Management (Practice Code 823)
• Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition (Practice Code 138)
• Transition to Organic Design (Practice Code 140)
• Conservation Cover (Practice Code 327)
• Conservation Crop Rotation (Practice Code 327)
• Cover Crops (Practice Code 340)
• Field Borders (Practice Code 386)
• Nutrient Management (Practice Code 590)

The new organic management standard also gives producers the flexibility to get the assistance and education they need, such as attending workshops or requesting help from organic production experts or mentors. It supports conservation activities and practices required for organic certification and may provide foregone income reimbursement for dips in production during the transition period.

Flexible education and training activities can include field days, working alongside organic experts and more. You can work with NRCS field staff, approved technical service providers, and other approved organic partners.

Higher payment rates and other options are available for historically underserved producers including socially disadvantaged, beginning, veteran, and limited resource farmers and ranchers.  For more information or to sign up contact your local USDA Service Center. Locations can be found at https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app.

To learn more about organic farming visit farmers.gov/your-business/organic.

Original source can be found here.