Home > Programs > organicdairy > funding.php

Funding Opportunities

USDA Funding for Transitioning and Certified Organic Practices

Apply now for funding through the new EQIP Organic Initiative. Eligible Farmers:

• Farmers just beginning or in the process of transitioning to organic production;
• Existing certified organic farmers who want to transition additional acres or animals;
• Existing certified organic farmers who need to adopt additional conservation measures;
• Producers who sell less than $5,000 in agricultural products and are thus exempt from formal certification are still eligible for Organic Initiative payments.

Deadline for applications is June 12, 2009. We encourage producers to submit their application now even if you don't know the details of your contract at this time.

Detailed information and forms can be found at ATTRA's website.

Eligible Core practices include: Conservation Crop Rotation, Cover Crop, Nutrient Management, Pest Management, Prescribed Grazing, and Forage Harvest Management.

1. Conservation Crop Rotation
Code: Practice Number 328
Rate Increase: 34% bump up over regular State EQIP payment rate
NRCS Conservation Crop Rotation Practice Standard: Click Here

2. Cover Crop
Code: Practice Number 340
Rate Increase: 46% bump up over regular State EQIP payment rate NRCS Cover Crop Practice Standard: Click Here

3. Nutrient Management
Code: Practice Number 590
Rate Increase: 30% bump up over regular State EQIP payment rate NRCS Nutrient Management Practice Standard: Click Here
Job Sheet: Click Here

4. Pest Management
Code: Practice Number 595
Rate Increase: 60% bump up over regular State EQIP payment rate
NRCS Pest Management Practice Standard: Click Here
Job Sheet: Click Here

5. Prescribed Grazing
Code: Practice Number 528
Rate Increase: 2% bump up over regular State EQIP payment rate NRCS Prescribed Grazing Practice Standard: Click Here

6. Forage Harvest Management
Code: Practice Number 511
Rate Increase: 2% bump up over State EQIP payment rate NRCS Forage Harvest Management: Click Here

Other online resources include Organic Farming Research Association, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, and Mass NRCS

f you have questions contact the NRCS Mass state contacts: Tom Akin, 413-253-4365, thomas.akin@ma.usda.gov and Barbara Miller, 413-253-4380, barbara.miller@ma.usda.gov.

You may also contact Winton Pitcoff, NOFA/Mass Extension Staff, (413) 634-5728, winton@nofamass.org, or Ed Maltby, NODPA Executive Director, (413) 772- 0444, emaltby@comcast.net.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service offers financial and technical assistance to farmers and other landowners. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) helps farmers and forest landowners address water quality, water conservation, invasive species control, soil quality, erosion control, nutrient and pest management, residue management, irrigation efficiency, energy conservation, air quality and other natural resource concerns.

Farm Viability Enhancement Program

The Massachusetts Department of Agriculture Farm Viability Enhancement Program helps farmers keep their families on the land and keep sprawl from consuming their farms. It involves strengthening the business skills of farmers, combined with diversification and environmental integrity.

SARE

The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) offers a Farmer Grant program to help farmers explore sustainable and innovative production and marketing practices, often by conducting an experiment, trial or on-farm demonstration.

FSA

Plain Language Guide to Applying for a Farm Service Agency Loan

This page was last modified on April 17, 2010 at 9:52:08 AM.     Translate this page: