Conservation Funds Available for Organic Growers

"HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For a second year, Pennsylvania farmers transitioning to organic agriculture or those who are certified organic have the opportunity to receive assistance for applying conservation practices through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) organic initiative. Applications are being accepted now until March 12, 2010.
USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Pennsylvania has set aside $760,000 to support organic agriculture. Approved applicants may be eligible to receive up to $20,000 per year, totaling up to $80,000 over six years.
The EQIP organic initiative is designed to provide financial assistance in the form of payments of 75 percent of the average cost of a conservation practice, or 90 percent of the average cost of a conservation practice if the producer is in a traditionally underserved group, such as limited resource, beginning, or minority farmers."

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