Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said the United States Department of Agriculture will provide up to $50 million in funding to help U.S. organic producers and those transitioning to organic production implement resource conservation practices on their agricultural operations.
"It's a good funding opportunity for Louisiana producers who have plans for organic production," Strain said. "Consumers are demanding more organically grown foods. The demand is creating new opportunities for small and mid-size farmers to help them remain competitive in today's farm economy.
Strain said the 2008 Farm Bill has provisions for organic farm assistance by funding projects that can help organic farms protect and conserve natural resources on their land. This is the third year of USDA's Organic Initiative, which provides funding for producers to plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns in ways that are consistent with organic production.
As examples, Strain said organic producers might use the funding to plant cover crops, establish integrated pest management plans or implement nutrient management systems consistent with organic certification standards.
"No doubt the creative organic producer can think of additional ways to optimize their resources for organic production," Strain said.
Currently, Louisiana has only 12 certified organic producers, a number Strain said he would like to see increase.
"Organic farming is the fastest growing sector of agriculture and the USDA is offering a very good program for those who are really willing to apply themselves and work the land using approved USDA conservation practices," Strain said. "There is plenty of room in Louisiana agriculture for small and mid-size producers, both urban and rural, to get involved. The bottom line is we need more organic farmers to supply the demand for organic products."
Strain said the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) is accredited by the USDA to certify organic producers in the state.
Strain said people interested in organic certification should contact Harry Schexnayder with the LDAF's Office of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at 225-925-3770.
Eligible producers include those certified through USDA's National Organic Program, those transitioning to certified organic production and those who meet organic standards but are exempt from certification because their gross annual organic sales are less than $5,000.
In fiscal year 2010, the Natural Resources Conservation Service obligated nearly $24 million through the Organic Initiative to help producers implement conservation practices.
Organic Initiative funding is provided through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a voluntary conservation program administered by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals.
The 2008 Farm Bill provided for assistance specifically for organic farm operations and those converting to organic production.
Under Organic Initiative contracts, producers are paid 75 percent of the cost for the organic conservation measures they implement. Beginning, limited resource, and socially disadvantaged producers are paid 90 percent. The program provides up to $20,000 per year per person or legal entity, with a maximum total of $80,000 over six years.
Producers interested in applying for Organic Initiative funding must submit applications through their local NRCSServiceCenter, which can be located at
http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?agency=nrcs.
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis, with the cutoff date set for March 4, 2011.
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