What’s the USDA Doing for Organic Farmers?

By Melody Meyer

USDA is committed to supporting organic producers, handlers and retailers in the domestic and international supply chain in a variety of ways.

They work across agencies to support organic farmers weather they are maintaining or transitioning to organic production. 

NOP Provides Training and Education:

The National Organic Program provides a wide range of free training and outreach materials for organic farms, businesses, and organic certification agencies.

NOP created the Sound and Sensible initiative to identify and remove barriers to certification and streamline the certification process.

Among the many resources on this page are an Interactive Video on “The Road to Organic Certification”, a self-assessment tool for Producers Transitioning to Organic, an Organic System Plan Template and a Video “What to Expect When You’re Inspected”.

Most recently launched a new Organic Integrity Learning Center, on their website. It provides free 24/7 online training for organic professionals around the world.

The Learning Center supports the professional development and continuing education of professionals working to protect organic integrity including certifiers, inspectors, reviewers and compliance specialists in organic businesses.

Initial courses offerings include:

• Introduction to the USDA Organic System
• Sound and Sensible Organic Certification
• Fundamentals of Inspection
• Compliance and Enforcement: Adverse Actions, Appeals, and Reinstatements
• Import Oversight Essentials

“Fair and consistent certification and robust enforcement of the organic standards are keys to protect the integrity of the USDA Organic Seal that consumers trust, and producers rely on,” said NOP Deputy Administrator Jennifer Tucker. “Maintaining organic integrity worldwide requires well-qualified and trained organic professionals. We want to make sure they have the tools they need.”

slide courtesy of USDA

Farm Service Agency (FSA) Offers Money to Offset Certification Costs:

Through USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA), organic producers and handlers can apply for federal funds to help cover the cost of organic certification through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). 

Certified operations may receive up to 75 percent of their certification costs paid during the program year, not to exceed $750 per certification scope.  Producers and handlers can submit applications to their FSA county offices, or can apply through participating State agencies.

Applications for certification Cost Share fiscal 2019 funding are due Oct. 31, 2019.

Slide courtesy of USDA

National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Provides Funds for Conservation efforts Associated with Organic Production

The National Organic Initiative, funded through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), is a voluntary conservation program that provides technical and financial assistance for organic farmers and ranchers, or those interested in transitioning to organic.

Producers can be awarded up to $140,000 total over the 2018 Farm Bill years, 2019 through 2023.  Assistance begins with the development of a conservation plan based on a needs assessment and each farmer’s unique goals.

Common conservation practices or activities can include:

• Improving irrigation efficiency;
• Developing a Conservation Activity Plan for Transition that can be part of the OSP;
• Establishing buffer zones;
• Creating pollinator habitat;
• Improving soil health and controlling erosion;
• Developing a grazing plan and supportive livestock practices;
• Enhancing cropping rotations;
• Nutrient and pest management activities;
• Managing cover crops; and
• Installing a high tunnel system.

To be eligible for the fund’s producers must be Certified Organic, transitioning to Organic, or exempt from NOP’s certification (producers who are selling less than $5,000 a year).)

For more information about NRCS resources for organic farmers, see their Organic Farming web page.

If you are ready to improve your organic operation or transition to organic? 

Check out EQIP.

FSA and NRCS operate out of USDA Service Centers in nearly every county in the U.S.; find the one near you to learn more.