These frigid days are good ones to sit by the fire or heater and get caught up on your paper work, hopefully using it for multiple purposes; organic certification, production and management records and to
sign up for USDA Farm Bill supported environmental programs from the EQIP program (Environmental quality Incentives Programs)
There are several EQUP programs available and some specifically for organic transition farms and organic certified farms. Here is the lowdown for a program that is open and available to you if interested.
Click on links for more information. |
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Wayne County and Flint - Genesee County High Tunnel Initiative |
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Joint Chiefs - Partnering for Watershed Restoration of Lake Superior |
Here is the full scoop on the organic Initiative. Go to
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/mi/programs/financial/eqip/?cid=stelprdb1268715 for my info on these programs and how to sign up
Through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) National Organic Initiative, NRCS provides financial and technical assistance to help eligible producers plan and implement conservation practices to support the environmental sustainability of
their organic operation or agricultural operation transitioning to organic production.
The 2018 Organic Initiative provides financial assistance to implement a broad set of conservation practices to assist organic producers in addressing resource concerns. Projects under this initiative may include, but are not limited to the following:
Financial assistance is limited to totals of a maximum of $20,000 per fiscal year AND no more than $80,000 over six years.
Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements associated with EQIP in addition to being a certified organic producer, a producer who is transitioning to become certified organic, or a producer who falls under the exemption category in the National Organic
Program (NOP) regulation, as described below.
Vicki Morrone
Organic Farming Specialist
Center for Regional Food Systems at Michigan State University
480 Wilson Rd
East Lansing, MI 48824
517-282-3557 (cell)
sorrone11 (skype)