COURT HOUSE – USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Donald Pettit reminds potential applicants to contact their local NRCS office soon to find out if they are eligible for the agency’s Organic Initiative. Applications for the second ranking period of 2012 are due at NRCS offices by close of business on March 30, 2012. The NRCS Office Locator is available at http://go.usa.gov/Uo8 and are also listed on the NJ NRCS website http://www.nj.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/.
NRCS is able to support the conservation efforts of organic growers and those making the transition to organic production through this initiative,” Pettit said. “For growers who are starting to transition a portion of their land, NRCS can provide financial assistance to implement cover crops or crop rotations, implement organic nutrient and pest management requirements, or install buffers that harbor native pollinators or protect the land from spray drift. We are also offering funding for a seasonal high tunnel to extend the growing season for both certified organic and transitioning organic growers with a history of specialty crop production.”
Nationwide, NRCS has nearly $50 million in financial and technical assistance available to certified organic producers, those who want to make the transition to organic production and producers who sell less than $5,000 in organic products annually.
Part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Organic Initiative offers a wide array of conservation practices specifically designed for organic production. “Practices will help the selected applicants meet many requirements of their USDA Organic System Plans and stay in compliance with USDA’s National Organic Program,” Pettit said.
The top five Organic Initiative conservation practices are cover crops, nutrient and pest management, seasonal high tunnels, crop rotation, and fencing.
Changes for the 2012 signups include three ranking periods for current and transitioning producers; a threshold ranking score that can speed up approval for qualified applicants; required conservation practices that promote the consistent use of those practices; and an expanded list of conservation activity plans.
Learn more about the Organic Initiative at http://go.usa.gov/Uo9 and find out about other NRCS initiatives and programs at http://go.usa.gov/UoX.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
