On May 5, 2009, NRCS announced that it has set aside $50 million in it's Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) specifically for its new 2009 Organic Initiative. The EQIP program is administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and is available in all states and all counties. The program provides incentives for new and existing organic producers to newly implement certain conservation practices, including conservation crop rotations, cover cropping, nutrient management, pest management, prescribed grazing, and forage harvest management.

When are applications due?

EQIP applications are accepted continuously, with deadlines established for individual "rounds" of funding. Applications submitted after the deadline are held for the next round. This year (2009) is the first year that the Organic Initiative is available; the submission deadline for the initial $50 million round of funding was set at May 29, 2009. However, after receiving input from the states, NRCS Chief Dave White has decided to offer an extension so that farmers have more time to sign up if their state opts-in. States can choose how long to extend the sign-up period—or to NOT extend the deadline—but funds for the first round of this Initiative must be obligated by August 15. Contact your local District County office to verify the application deadline in your state. As of May 21, states that have extended the Organic Initiative EQIP signup date are as follows:

• Alaska: 6/12/09
• Colorado: 6/12/09
• Delaware: 6/26/09
• Florida: 6/12/09
• Indiana: 6/15/09, 7/01/09, 8/15/09
• Kentucky: 6/12/09
• Louisiana: 6/12/09
• Maine: 6/12/09
• Maryland: 6/26/09
• Minnesota: 6/30/09
• Nebraska: 6/12/09
• Nevada: 6/12/09
• Ohio: 6/12/09
• Oregon: 6/5/09
• South Dakota: 6/12/09
• Virginia: 6/30/09
• Wisconsin: 6/12/09

Who is eligible?

The Initiative will provide EQIP conservation payments to:

• farmers just beginning to transition to certified organic production
• farmers already in the process of transitioning to certified organic production
• existing certified organic farmers who are transitioning additional acres or herds
• existing certified organic farmers who need to adopt additional conservation measures to fully address particular natural resource and environmental concerns
• existing certified organic farmers who want to both transition additional production and adopt additional conservation measures on existing certified organic ground

Enrollment details

• The intent of this initiative is to help organic growers incorporate conservation practices into their farming operations. Transitional growers participating in the organic initiative can receive up to $20,000 per year and a total of $80,000 over a 6 year period for implementing practices that conserve soil and protect water. Payments are made for the adoption of new conservation practices. EQIP payments are set up by a contract that can last over several years.
• Existing certified organic producers who have already been using soil building practices and so will not meet the criteria for new practice adoption must compete with all other non-organic farmers and ranchers in their state. The competition increases, but the maximum payment could rise to $300,000 over a 6 year period. It could even rise to $450,000 if you can justify it as of a unique and significant environmental benefit). Note, it can be difficult for certified organic growers who rely on tillage to compete in the open enrollment as the NRCS uses the SCI index and RUSLE2 to rank applications. These tools focus on erosion and penalize tillage. Work is underway to calibrate tools on organic systems to make sure they adequately credit the beneficial effects of cover crops.
• In addition to the usual contract requirements for EQIP producers agree to develop and implement conservation practices for certified organic production that are consistent with an organic system plan per provisions established in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill) and to standards established in the National Organic Programs (NOP) Act (7 USC 6501-6522). If terms are not met, the EQIP program contract may be terminated and producers may be responsible for repayment of benefits received and possible assessment of liquidated damages.
• To get enrolled you need to get into your local Farm Service Agency office and get a farm number and tract number. This starts the whole process of program eligibility. In addition to meeting criteria for the organic program, you will need to meet criteria related to the determination of Highly Erodible Land, wetland conservation/compliance and the Adjusted Gross Income determination. These criteria apply to all USDA programs not just EQIP, so if you have never been in the USDA Service Center before this is the place to start. This takes time and can be a barrier to program enrollment if you are not prepared.

What kinds of conservation practices are eligible?

For the 2009 Organic Initiative, there are six "core" practices addressing the NRCS resource concern categories of soil quality, soil erosion, domestic animals, plant condition, water quality, and fish and wildlife, for which farmers and ranchers can receive EQIP conservation payments. These are all available on a nationwide basis. Farmers can plan to implement one or more of these practices; the more practices a farmer plans to implement, the higher the priority their application will receive.

The six core practices eligible for EQIP support under the Organic Initiative are:

1. Conservation Crop Rotation
   This practice is used to control erosion, manage pest and nutrients and increase soil organic matter by alternating crops grown in a sequence. It serves as the foundation for improving the soil resource on a farm. Payment is on a per acre basis. NRCS Conservation Crop Rotation Practice Standard:
   ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/standards/328.pdf
2. Cover Crop
   This practices is used to control erosion, increase organic matter, provide nutrients, and manage pest. It is used in concert with a conservation cropping rotation to maximize the resource benefits that can be achieved. Payment is on a per acre basis.
   ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/standards/340.pdf
3. Nutrient Management
   This practice is used to control the amount, type, timing and placement of nutrients to support crop production. Nutrient application rates are based on the use of a nutrient balance sheet that determines the crop nutrient needed to produce a realistic yield goal using soil test, manure analysis and accounts for nutrient credits from legumes, composts, etc. Payment for this practice is on a per acre basis. NRCS Nutrient Management Practice Standard:
   ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/standards/590.pdf
   Job Sheet:
   ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/jobsheets/590js.pdf
4. Pest Management
   This practice is used to control the amount, type, timing and placement of nutrients to support crop production. Nutrient application rates are based on the use of a nutrient balance sheet that determines the crop nutrient needed to produce a realistic yield goal using soil test, manure analysis and accounts for nutrient credits from legumes, composts, etc. Payment for this practice is on a per acre basis. NRCS Pest Management Practice Standard:
   ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/standards/595.pdf
   Job Sheet:
   ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/jobsheets/595js.pdf
5. Prescribed Grazing
   This practice requires producers to manage their pasture according to a prescribed grazing plan. The plan contains information related to forage quality and quantity and animal numbers to develop a grazing schedule based on a forage-animal balance. It also includes a contingency plan and monitoring activities. Payment for this practice is on a per acre basis. NRCS Prescribed Grazing Practice Standard:
   ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/standards/528.pdf
6. Forage Harvest Management
   This practice is for the timely cutting and removal of forages from the field as hay, green-chop or ensilage. Harvest is conducted at the proper stage of maturity for planned quality and quantity of forage, maintain healthy plants to lessen incidence of disease, insects and weed infestations. Payment for this practice is on a per acre basis. NRCS Forage Harvest Management:
   ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/standards/511.pdf

NRCS personnel will be using the Core Six Organic Initiative Practices Guidance Document to implement these practices.

How can I apply?

Information about how to apply for assistance through EQIP is available online. Click on the State where the property that you are interested in enrolling is located to go to that State's Programs home page, then follow the link to the State EQIP page. Information includes your state's application ranking criteria, priority resource concerns, lists of eligible practices, payment rates, information about where you can submit applications, eligibility requirements, and other program requirements.

Applications for the EQIP program (form NRCS-CPA-1200) are accepted on a continuous basis, however, NRCS establishes application “cut-off” dates for evaluation and ranking of eligible applications. To sign up for EQIP, applicants must complete the NRCS-CPA-1200 application form at their local field office.

At the time of application, you will also be provided with a copy of the NRCS-CPA-1202 Contract Appendix, explaining EQIP contract terms and conditions. Reviewing the contract appendix up-front so that you know the contract terms and conditions.

Farmer Allen Williams Discusses Pros and Cons of EQIP Organic Initiative from ASAP Illinois on Vimeo.

Additional Resources

• NRCS National EQIP Page
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) FY 2009 Application – Information by State
• EQIP application form, NRCS-CPA-1200 (PDF, 33KB)
• Local District County Office locator
• NSAC’S most up-to-date information on NRCS EQIP Organic Inititiative - from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalitions; informative and regularly updated.
• Accessing the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative for Conversion or Expansion - from ATTRA; includes recommendations for producers on navigating the application process.
• The EQIP Initiative for Organic Agriculture Fact Sheet (PDF)

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.

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