Offered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for the third year, the EQIP Organic Initiative is available for Rhode Island farmers who are certified organic, transitioning to certified organic, or organic exempt according to USDA’s National Organic Program regulations. The national ranking deadline for sign-ups is March 4, 2011. Applications received after this date will be ranked in the next funding group.
Experimenting with cover crops and crop rotations, installing intensive grazing infrastructure (grazing plans, internal fencing, walkways, water lines), establishing wildlife and pollinator friendly habitat, and installing seasonal high tunnels are examples of conservation practices for which funding may be available under this program. In addition, states offer Conservation Activity Plans that support conservation planning for organic agriculture.
Farmers should contact the Rhode Island Service Center for more information and to determine eligibility. Simply call our office at 401-822-8848, E-mail [email protected], or visit us at 60 Quaker Lane, Suite 46, Warwick, RI 02886. Application information is available at http://www.ri.nrcs.usda.gov/APPLICATION.pdf. Completed applications must be postmarked or received by the close of business, Friday, March 4, 2011.
View informational videos on the USDA-NRCS high tunnels/hoop houses:
- USDA High Tunnel/Hoop Houses with NRCS Chief and Deputy Secretary Merrigan or www.youtube.com/watch?v=c288LyqQf_w
- USDA Promotes Hoop Houses at White House Garden Event or www.youtube.com/watch?v=14jE1T2Vd_Q&NR=1
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