If you are a farmer, or know a farmer who needs assistance in converting to organic farming, there is a very short window of opportunity to do so now, for 3 weeks during the Month of May 2009. Many people worked very hard to get this farm bill on the table, so be sure to get the word out and take advantage of this while you can!

Washington, D.C. May 5, 2009 – USDA today announced a special three- week sign-up for farmers in the process of converting to organic farming to receive technical and financial assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a move applauded by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and its grassroots member organizations across the country.

The organic conversion assistance was provided for by the 2008 Farm Bill but the plan went awry when the Bush Administration issued rules for the EQIP program just before leaving office which baffled state and local offices of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). As a result, in a majority of states organic farmers and transitioning farmers were simply not being served, in contradiction of Congress’ intent in the farm bill.

“This was a was a wrong that needed righting, and with today’s announcement USDA is not only setting it right, but doing so in an innovative and farmer-friendly manner,” said Aimee Witteman, NSAC Executive Director. “We thank NRCS and USDA leadership for listening to the concerns of organic farmers and applaud their new initiative.”

For more details on how to sign up between May 11th and May 29th, please visit Organic Consumers Association to get the whole scoop. It is important to pass this information along to your networks as quickly as possible to beat the deadline. This is good news for Organic Farmers!

You may wish to visit ATTRA – National Sustainable Information Service: Agricultural and Organic Farming News to get the latest information as well.

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