Farm Bill Programs for You and Your Community: EQIP
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a conservation cost-share and incentives program that assists farmers and ranchers with the installation of conservation-based practices and farming systems. The 2008 Farm Bill made some positive changes to EQIP.
One of those is the addition of an incentive provision for farmers and ranchers transitioning to organic production systems. This incentive is available for those who want to transition to organic for the first time, as well as for those who are already organic but want to transition additional acres or livestock.
To participate in this organic incentive provision, farmers or ranchers need to develop and implement an organic systems plan and agree to become certified at the end of the three-year transition period.
USDA is required to make available an adequate and appropriate range of technical assistance for those involved with organic production. This service may be provided directly by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) or through providing a payment to the farmer or rancher to acquire a third-party provider with expertise in organic production systems.
Farmers and ranchers will be able to receive up to $20,000 per year, or no more than $80,000 over any 6-year period, for organic transition and production practices.
There are special provisions for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, including:
• 10 percent of total funds set-aside to fund applications from these groups.
• Up to 90 percent cost-share or at least a 25 percent greater cost-share for these participants.
• 30 percent advanced payments. (Note: Traditionally, the practice had to be put in place and then the farmer or rancher was reimbursed. This will allow a beginner or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher to get a portion of the cost-share in advance of doing the work.)
On January 15, 2009, USDA released what is called the “Interim Final Rule” for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. This rule appears to have some major shortcomings that need to be changed. Stay tuned for more information on how you can submit comments to help achieve the changes needed.
Contact: Traci Bruckner, tracib@cfra.org or 402.687.2103 x 1016 for more information.
One of those is the addition of an incentive provision for farmers and ranchers transitioning to organic production systems. This incentive is available for those who want to transition to organic for the first time, as well as for those who are already organic but want to transition additional acres or livestock.
To participate in this organic incentive provision, farmers or ranchers need to develop and implement an organic systems plan and agree to become certified at the end of the three-year transition period.
USDA is required to make available an adequate and appropriate range of technical assistance for those involved with organic production. This service may be provided directly by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) or through providing a payment to the farmer or rancher to acquire a third-party provider with expertise in organic production systems.
Farmers and ranchers will be able to receive up to $20,000 per year, or no more than $80,000 over any 6-year period, for organic transition and production practices.
There are special provisions for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, including:
• 10 percent of total funds set-aside to fund applications from these groups.
• Up to 90 percent cost-share or at least a 25 percent greater cost-share for these participants.
• 30 percent advanced payments. (Note: Traditionally, the practice had to be put in place and then the farmer or rancher was reimbursed. This will allow a beginner or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher to get a portion of the cost-share in advance of doing the work.)
On January 15, 2009, USDA released what is called the “Interim Final Rule” for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. This rule appears to have some major shortcomings that need to be changed. Stay tuned for more information on how you can submit comments to help achieve the changes needed.
Contact: Traci Bruckner, tracib@cfra.org or 402.687.2103 x 1016 for more information.
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