There's still time for Georgia farmers to apply for the $1.3 million
available from the new Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
initiative through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
to encourage organic farming.

"We have extended the application window to June 5, 2009 to allow just
a little more time for those producers who are just now hearing about
the special organic initiative," said State Conservationist James
E.Tillman, Sr., of the USDA-NRCS.  "First-time applicants do not have
to have everything in place by June 5," Tillman added, "but they do
need to come into one of our offices and sign an application."

Applicants will be notified if their application is accepted.  After
an application has been ranked and a funding determination has been
made, producers will need to meet with NRCS personnel and develop a
conservation plan that includes a time table for implementing the
conservation practices.  Approximately forty farmers have applied for
the program in Georgia.

The 2009 National Organic Initiative will be administered by the
Natural Resources Conservation Service. Interested producers should
visit their nearest USDA Service Center to determine eligibility.
Additional information on the 2009 EQIP Organic Initiative is
available at:
http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/organic.html

If you have any issues or problems after contacting your local NRCS
office, please contact Georgia Organics immediately.  The farmer
services staff at Georgia Organics is aware of issues related to the
payment schedule options and amounts as well as instances of NRCS
field office staff who are still getting up to speed, and farmers are
still encouraged to apply.  A strong showing of interest in the
program from farmers will help to keep future dollars allocated to
Georgia as Georgia Organics and others work with the NRCS to work out
the kinks of the program.


Questions?
Contact Jonathan Tescher at the Georgia Organics Office
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678.702.0400

--
Dr. Teri Hamlin
North Region Agriculture Education
Georgia Department of Education
204C Four Towers University of Georgia
Athens, Ga 30602
706-542-3679 / 706-540-0032
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