The USDA has announced a grant program to help farmers transition to organic farming. The deadline to apply is May 29, 2009. To view the USDA news release, click on the headline.
Release No. 0146.09
Contact: Terry Bish (202) 720-5974
AGRICULTURE DEPUTY SECRETARY MERRIGAN ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR NEW ORGANICS INITIATIVE
$50 Million in Funding Available Nationwide
WASHINGTON, May 5, 2009— Speaking today to the USDA National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced $50 Million for a new initiative to meet the Obama Administration’s promise to encourage more organic agriculture production. Funding for the initiative is being made available as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
"Assisting organic producers is a priority of the 2008 Farm Bill as well as for Secretary Vilsack and the Obama Administration," said Merrigan. "The objective of this initiative is to make organic food producers eligible to compete for EQIP financial assistance."
The 2009 Organic Initiative is a nationwide special initiative to provide financial assistance to National Organic Program (NOP) certified organic producers as well as producers in the process of transitioning to organic production. Organic producers may also apply for assistance under general EQIP.