The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) encourages agricultural producers and forest landowners to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices in fiscal year 2024.
NRCS continuously accepts applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Stewardship Program and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, which help a wide variety of producers, including organic producers.
NRCS provides technical and financial assistance for conservation practices that are popular among organic as well as traditional producers. This includes cover crops, integrated pest management, drip irrigation, high tunnels and rotational grazing. Plus, for producers transitioning to organic production, NRCS also provides assistance for a new organic management conservation practice, which was introduced in fiscal year 2023 as part of USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative. The new organic management practice allows flexibility for producers to get the assistance and education they need, such as attending workshops or requesting help from experts or mentors. It supports organic conservation activities and practices required for organic certification and may provide foregone income reimbursement for dips in production during the transition period.
Learn more on NRCS Organic Agriculture webpage, or contact NRCS at your local USDA Service Center.