News Release

USDA-NRCS ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF $867,000 FOR NEW ORGANIC INITIATIVE IN KENTUCKY

Updated 05/14/2009

United States Department of Agriculture

Natural Resources Conservation Service

771 Corporate Drive Suite 210

Lexington, KY 40503

Phone: 859-224-7350

Web: http://www.ky.nrcs.usda.gov

Lexington, Ky., May 12, 2009 — Tom Perrin, State Conservationist for Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Kentucky announced today that $867,000 is available in Kentucky for the new 2009 National Organic Initiative to encourage more organic agriculture production. Funding for the initiative is being made available as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Applications are being accepted now until May 29, 2009.

Nationally, $50 million has been set aside for organic producers and those desiring to transition to organic production. Organic producers may also apply for assistance under general EQIP. 

Tom Perrin, State Conservationist said, "NRCS is committed to working with our Kentucky conservation partners, including the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, in identifying and assisting those landowners and landusers who want to participate in this conservation program. These EQIP funds can and will serve to assist organic growers and producers in Kentucky.” 

Applications received between May 11 and May 29 will be ranked according to the nationally established ranking criteria based on resource concerns linked to the National Organic Program (NOP) objectives and core conservation practices. Cost-share funding is being made available to certified organic growers and producers as well as those transitioning to organic production. 

Interested producers should visit their nearest USDA Service Center to determine eligibility. 

For more information regarding this release, please contact Deena Wheby, Program Manager, (859)-224-7350 or deena.wheby@ky.usda.gov. 

For more information regarding 2009 National Organic Initiative program, visit NRCS Web site at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs or follow the links listed below. 

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Web sites:

Kentucky EQIP Organic Initiative 2009

Find Local USDA Service Center:  http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app

AGRICULTURE DEPUTY SECRETARY MERRIGAN ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR NEW ORGANICS INITIATIVE

$50 Million in Funding Available Nationwide

Department Release No. 0146.09:  http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/05/0146.xml

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP):  http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/

Kentucky NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP):   http://www.ky.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/2009EQIP/index.html

National Organic Program (NOP):  http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?template=TemplateA&navID=NationalOrganicProgram&leftNav=NationalOrganicProgram&page=NOPNationalOrganicProgramHome&acct=nop

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