5-2 FB NRCS Organic

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service recently announced an additional funding opportunity for certified organic producers and those transitioning to organic production to implement resource conservation practices on their agricultural operations. The cutoff date for this Organic Initiative application period is May 20, 2011.

The hope is this additional opportunity will allow more organic producers to get assistance in protecting the natural resources on their land and creating conditions that foster organic production. 

 I asked NRCS Spokesperson Alexis Collins why, when the government is broke, the NRCS is able to come up with money for organic farming. I didn’t ask Alexis in an effort to be contentions, I was just interested that the government actually has money for those who farm organically. Here’s her response: “Well the 2008 farm bill had some funding for organic production. That’s why there is funding that continues for this organic initiative because the 2008 farm bill said we will try to support organic producers.” While organic farmers are invited to sign up for any and all of the NRCS conservation programs, special funding authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill is set aside just for organic farmers and those transitioning to organic standards but are exempt from certification because their gross annual organic sales are less than $5,000.