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Accessing the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative for Conversion or Expansion
| By Jeff Schahczenski, NCAT program specialist, with much help from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. Published May 7, 2009. Updated December 18, 2009 |
Important Documents available for Download:  NRCS Conservation Program ApplicationCustomer Statement Guide for First Time UsersThe National EQIP Organic DirectiveProjected Allocations for Your StateNational Screening Criteria Worksheet A Draft Template for Producer Self-CertificationDownload Acrobat Reader |
The 2010 fiscal year sign-up for the EQIP Organic Initiative will be available this winter and early spring. There will be a fairly short time frame for application. The materials below were for last years sign-up and while there will be changes (called a guidance) most of the basics are the same. As soon as NCAT/ATTRA gets word of new changes for 2010 we will update information on the ATTRA website. If you wish to participate in this program please contact your local or state NRCS office ASAP and make at least a preliminary application before a yet to be determined deadline. To find your state or local NRCS office go to this link:
http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?agency=nrcs and click on your state, which will then allow you to find your local (generally county based) NRCS office.
Some further details:
- The National Guidance for the 2010 Organic Initiative is still being finalized, pending a fast-track analysis of states' efforts to develop organic/transitional payment schedules for relevant practices.
- When the OI Guidance is issued to states (probably early January) it will include a mandate for states to hold a reasonable open sign-up period, even if their regular EQIP 2010 deadline has already passed or is imminent. There may be a sign-up period of 90 days, but that is NOT certain at this time.
- Over 400 OI applications from the 2009 sign-up are still pending, and will be eligible for ranking in the 2010 cycle. Deputy Secretary Merrigan asked the NRCS staff to have states send a letter to these applicants outlining their options for inclusion in the 2010 ranking and/or modifying their application.
- NRCS leadership is strongly committed to serving organic producers but there will still be some glitches at the state and local level that need to be addressed.
This document gives 2009 guidance and strategies to applying for up to $20,000 per year or up to $80,000 over a 6 year period for organic farmers and to farmers transitioning to organic farming from the National Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS).
NRCS has been authorized to disburse up to $50 million to farmers who submit successful proposals during the next three week period.
The recently announced Organic Initiative within the EQIP offers a significant opportunity for organic and transitioning organic growers to receive financial assistance in implementing conservation practices as part of their Organic Systems Plan or Organic Transitions Plan. The program will be offered each of the next five years; however, future funding levels may depend on the level of participation in the current (May-June 2009) signup period. Thus, applications from producers during this May 2009 application period are essential for strengthening the "crosswalk" between Organic Agriculture and the NRCS Conservation Programs.
Contents:
- Be ready to play the NRCS game
- How to Increase Your Chances of Submitting a Successful EQIP Application
- Basic Eligibility and Forms
- Scoring Your EQIP Application
- NRCS National Ranking Critiera - Fiscal Year 2009
- How to locate your local NRCS office
For personal help: Dial NCAT through its 1-800-346-9140 (English) and 1-800-411-3222 (Spanish) toll free hot-line or
check the the list for the point of contact in each state for organics at NRCS.
Be ready to play the "NRCS" game
It can be difficult to navigate your way through the regulations and lingo of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). . You have to be willing to "tough it out" to get through the process, so you need to be motivated to access these funds because you want to become an organic producer, are in the middle of transitioning to organic production and want additional assistance, want to expand your existing organic operation, or want to expand or undertake conservation practices that NRCS can help you pay for (for instance establishing pollinator friendly or beneficial insect attracting plants). Also, be sure you want to become organic and are prepared to go through the process of certification to do so. Visit the ATTRA website (www.attra.ncat.org/marketing.html) for excellent resources about organic certification, production and marketing.
Finally, you have to think of how farming and ranching practices on your farm will need to change and how those changes relate to NRCS defined "practices". While many folks believe an organic production system is in itself an excellent conservation system of production, your local NRCS staff may not yet be totally convinced of that statement. In other words you need to help NRCS understand. NCAT has designed a chart that helps connect what it means to be organic to the language and lingo of organic production (below in appendix). If you bring this chart in with you when you apply, it may help educate local NRCS staff so that they will be more likely to help you successfully apply for this EQIP money.
Though this short sign-up is a special effort for organic agriculture, this is still the EQIP.
The EQIP is a COMPETIVE program and that means you are
not guaranteed to receive funding (through a contract with NRCS). You will
be ranked with those applying after you are "scored".
If you are applying as an existing USDA certified organic producer (this is a
federal regulated program) then you will be competing with other existing
certified organic producers applying in your state. If you are wanting to
transition or in the middle of transitioning (it takes three years) you will be
competing with other farmers or ranchers in this group.
By law the maximum payment for your efforts that you can receive in these efforts is $20,000 per year with no more than $80,000 over a 6 year period. EQIP payments are set up by a contract that can last over several years.
To make it a little more confusing, however, if you are an existing certified organic producer, than you can opt-out of the is special initiative and compete with all other non-organic farmers and ranchers in your state. The competition increases, but the maximum payment could rise to $300,000 over a 6 year period. (it could even rise to $450,000 if you can justify it as of a unique and significant environmental benefit).
YOU need to decide which arena to compete in.
Also the allocations of resources for this special initiative are not equally distributed across all states (see state allocation document). If your state has a higher allocation your chances increase to be funded.
How to Increase Your Chances of Submitting a Successful EQIP Application
So if you are competing, how do you win the competition?
Some pointers:
- KNOW the program, LEARN the lingo. See ATTRA publication Federal Resources for Sustainable Farming and Ranching (http://attra.ncat.org/other.html) for some general background.
- Fill out the basic application form ASAP and get this into NRCS office before May 29th. (see more details below and link to form at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/PDFs/Blank_EQIP_CCC1200.pdf) Even if you don't work out subsequent details regarding a detailed contract you MUST get this in by the deadline to access program funds. So if you are serious, DO it ASAP.
- Get cumbersome eligibility requirements (explained below) out of the way ASAP. This is important because you don't want to go through the work without knowing you are eligible AND you don't want to miss deadline.
- ASK questions of NRCS field staff,. If they are not
helpful, then call the NRCS state office person who is in charge of EQIP
(This is available on-line at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/ ). Also generally, don't take "no" for an answer until you are satisfied
with the answer you get. NCAT through its 1-800-346-9140 (English) and
1-800-411-3222
(Spanish) toll free hot-line can help as well.
Remember many field staff of NRCS may not know as much as you do about this program and special initiative. - Make sure you evaluate the FULL extent of the changes
you wish to make to improve conservation and meet organic certification
requirements,
AND MOST importantly make sure you can succeed at organic production.
Basic Eligibility and FORMS
- If you don't have one, get a DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number IF YOU intend to apply for more then $25,000 in benefits, it takes a day . This will likely be the case. Online application at: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do
- You must be part of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) database and file some level of farm records. Most commodity growers who access FSA program already are part of this database. A web-base fact sheet for accessing this is http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/july_attachment.pdf
- Fill out the basic EQIP application form ASAP. You will need the above items to do it plus the Adjusted Gross Income form (CCC-902). There is an income eligibility test. Here's the legal language: A person or legal entity shall not be eligible to receive any benefit during a crop, fiscal, or program year, as appropriate, if the average adjusted gross non-farm income of the person or legal entity exceeds $1,000,000, unless not less than 66.66 percent of the average adjusted gross income of the person or legal entity is average adjusted gross farm income. The amount of any payment or benefit shall be reduced by an amount that is commensurate with the direct and indirect ownership interest in the entity of each person who has an average adjusted gross income, average adjusted gross farm income, or average adjusted gross non-farm income in excess of the applicable limitation specified.
- In order to be eligible a transitioning farmers must provide a "written self-certification" (i.e., a document stating their intent to transition to organic production) to develop an Organic Systems Plan (OSP) and implement one or more of the Core 6 practices and/or facilitating practices (see section below on Core 6 and facilitating practices). Existing certified organic producers will have to provide a copy of their current Organic System Plan (OSP) and agree to implement conservation practices.
Scoring Your EQIP Application
(Thanks to the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition for providing the following information on scoring — www.sustainableagriculture.net):
"Core 6" Conservation Practices and Payments
For the 2009 Organic Initiative, there are six "Core"
practices that farmers and ranchers can apply to implement. These are all
available on a nationwide basis. A farmer can choose to implement any number
of the following practices, and the more practices that a farmer plans to implement
the higher priority the application will be. These practices address the NRCS
resource concern categories of soil quality, soil erosion, domestic animals,
plant condition, water quality, and fish and wildlife. Study these
practices and see how they fit with the new practices you will undertake to
become a certified organic farmer or are of general conservation benefit to
you. ASK NRCS to help. The practices are the following (link to
conservation practice standard listed for each; link to job sheets are included
where available):
- Conservation Crop Rotation
Code: Practice Number 328
Rate Increase: 34% bump up over regular State EQIP payment rate
NRCS Conservation Crop Rotation Practice Standard:
ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/standards/328.pdf - Cover Crop
Code: Practice Number 340
Rate Increase: 46% bump up over regular State EQIP payment rate NRCS Cover Crop Practice Standard:
ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/standards/340.pdf - Nutrient Management
Code: Practice Number 590
Rate Increase: 30% bump up over regular State EQIP payment rate
NRCS Nutrient Management Practice Standard:
ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/standards/590.pdf
Job Sheet:
ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/jobsheets/590js.pdf - Pest Management
Code: Practice Number 595
Rate Increase: 60% bump up over regular State EQIP payment rate
NRCS Pest Management Practice Standard:
ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/standards/595.pdf
Job Sheet:
ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/jobsheets/595js.pdf - Prescribed Grazing
Code: Practice Number 528
Rate Increase: 2% bump up over regular State EQIP payment rate
NRCS Prescribed Grazing Practice Standard:
ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/standards/528.pdf - Forage Harvest Management
Code: Practice Number 511
Rate Increase: 2% bump up over State EQIP payment rate
NRCS Forage Harvest Management:
ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NHQ/practice-standards/standards/511.pdf
Facilitating Practices And Payments
States that came up with practices for organic transition
prior to this Initiative that are not one of the Core 6 will be able to count
those practices as "Facilitating Practices" under this Initiative. In
addition, states are encouraged to offer and fund implementation of additional
facilitating conservation practices under this Initiative in order to address
particular types of farming or particular resource needs specific to a state or
region. These facilitating practices do not have rate increases associated
with them, but cover a broader range of practices that count under this
Initiative and may prove quite useful to particular producers or groups of
producers.
States must develop their facilitating practice list quickly since sign-up begins on May 11. We would guess that most states will be posting their lists on the State NRCS website. Understand these and see if they fit your plan.
Conservation Activity Plan and Payment
Farmers who are transitioning to organic production are
encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to develop a conservation
activity plan (CAP). A "Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition" CAP
will provide financial assistance to pay for the conservation planning portion
of the Organic Systems Plan required for organic certification. The CAP option
does not apply to existing certified organic producers.
We are not sure, as of this writing, what the payment amount will be for a CAP. We do know, however, that the value of the CAP payment will count against the $20,000 per year payment limit.
How the Application Process Works
Transitioning Farmers
Farmers wanting to access the funds for transition to
organic production through EQIP must apply through their local District County
offices. Farmers should go into the offices and speak with a staff person
there. If the local office cannot help, call state NRCS office.
The staff person will fill out a "screening worksheet" that determines basic eligibility and priority of the application for NRCS' business tool, ProTracts. The screening worksheet will be available from the District County offices.
In order to complete a screening worksheet, transitioning farmers must provide a "written self-certification" (i.e., a document stating their intent to transition to organic production) to develop an Organic Systems Plan (OSP) and implement one or more of the Core 6 practices and/or facilitating practices (see section below on Core 6 and facilitating practices). A template of a written self-certification is included as Attachment D in the NRCS eDirective.
For priority determination the categories are as follows:
High: Application will result in implementation of at least three of the "Core 6" conservation practices; OR, application will result in implementation of a suite of three or more "Core 6" conservation practices"; OR, application is for development of an EQIP Conservation Activity Plan (CAP) Supporting Organic Transition. (A CAP will pay for the planning part of an Organic Systems Plan.)
Medium: Application will result in implementation of at least two of the "Core 6" Management Practices.
Low: Application will not result in implementation of any of the "Core 6" Management Practices.
The application will then be ranked according to National Ranking Criteria (see page 10 of the NRCS eDirective). If a farmer is awarded a contract, s/he will be in contact with NRCS and other technical service providers to determine how to implement practices.
Existing Organic Farmers
Existing certified organic farmers wanting to access funds
to implement further conservation practices through EQIP must apply through
their local District County offices. Farmers should go into the offices and
speak with a staff person there.
The staff person will fill out a "screening worksheet" that determines basic eligibility and priority of the application for NRCS' business tool, ProTracts. The screening worksheet will be available from the District County offices. See page 9 of the NRCS eDirective for an example of the screening worksheet.
In order to complete a screening worksheet, certified organic farmers will have to provide a copy of their current Organic System Plan (OSP) and agree to implement conservation practices.
For priority determination the categories are as follows:
High: Application will result in implementation of at least three of the "Core 6" conservation practices; OR, application will result in implementation of a suite of three or more "Core 6" conservation practices."
Medium: Application will result in implementation of at least two of the "Core 6" Management Practices.
Low: Application will not result in implementation of any of the "Core 6" Management Practices.
The application will then be ranked according to National Ranking Criteria (see page 10 of the NRCS eDirective). If a farmer is awarded a contract, s/he will be in contact with NRCS and other technical service providers to determine how to implement practices.
APPENDIX
Specific Screening Questions
NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) - Organic Initiative
NRCS NATIONAL RANKING CRITERIA - Fiscal Year 2009
(To be entered into each State ProTracts AERT ranking tool to support the Organic
Initiative)
Local Priority Issues:
Not applicable or authorized for use with organic initiative.
Statewide Issues Rank Criteria Questions:
To be entered under the "State Issues" ProTracts AERT system
for organic sub-account funding pools. States may add additional State level
ranking questions if directly related to addressing identified resource
concerns for organic production systems as approved by the Deputy Chief for
Programs.
Subheading 1: Practice Implementation to Support Organic
1-1. EQIP plan schedule of operations provides for
implementation of all funded practices within two years or less. 20 points
1-2. EQIP plan schedule of operations provides for implementation of all funded practices within three years or less. 10 points
1-3. EQIP plan includes implementation of five or more of the NRCS Core 6 organic conservation practices OR completes an installed system of Core 6 organic conservation practices. 20 points
1-4. EQIP plan includes implementation of three to four of the NRCS Core 6 organic conservation practices. 15 points
1-5. EQIP plan includes implementation of one to two of the NRCS Core 6 organic conservation practices. 5 points
1-6. EQIP plan does not include any of the six NRCS Core organic conservation practices. 0 pts
Subheading 2: Soil Resource Issues:
2-1. EQIP plan includes implementation of two or more soil
building/enhancing practices that address soil tilth, crusting, water
infiltration, organic matter, compaction, etc., to Filed Office Technical Guide
(FOTG) quality criteria standards. 15 points
2-2. EQIP plan includes implementation of one soil building/enhancing practices that address soil tilth, crusting, water infiltration, organic matter, compaction, etc., to FOTG quality criteria standards. 5 points
2-3. Soil Condition: EQIP plan includes implementation of practice 590 Nutrient Management to FOTG quality criteria for management of soil fertility, plant nutrients and soil amendments. 15 points
Subheading 3: Soil Erosion Resource Issues:
3-1. EQIP plan includes practices which will result in
measurable reduction of erosion from all sources OR participant has already
addressed all erosion problems to FOTG quality criteria standards. 10 points.
Subheading 4: Water Quality Resource Issues:
4-1. EQIP plan includes practices which will result in
reduction of sediment leaving the treatment unit and meets FOTG quality
criteria standards. 10 points
4-2. EQIP plan includes practices which will manage excess surface water discharge from the treatment unit to an impaired water body (e.g. EPA 303d list, etc.) to FOTG quality criteria standards. 10 points
4-3. EQIP plan includes implementation of practice 595 Pest Management and an IPM plan to FOTG quality criteria for management of pests and noxious and invasive species to FOTG quality criteria standards. 20 points
Subheading 6: Plant Condition Resource Issues:
6-1. Plant Condition: EQIP plan includes practices which
will result in management of surface residues to FOTG quality criteria
standards. 10 points
Subheading 7: Domestic Animal Resource Issues:
7-1. EQIP plan includes implementation of practice 511
Forage Harvest Management to address NOP requirements for management of feed
supplements and forage supplies. 10 points
7-2. EQIP plan includes implementation of practice 528 Prescribed Grazing to FOTG quality criteria standards for management of plant species, livestock, residues, feed and other identified resource needs. 20 points
7-3. EQIP plan includes implementation of practices which limit and manage domestic livestock access to streams, creeks and other natural water bodies to FOTG quality criteria standards. 15 points
7-4. EQIP plan includes implementation of practice 633 Waste Utilization to manage domestic livestock manure to FOTG quality criteria standards to protect surface and groundwater resources. 10 points
7-5. EQIP plan includes implementation of practices to assure adequate clean off-stream domestic livestock drinking water sources are available in the treatment unit and meets FOTG quality criteria standards. 10 points
Subheading 8: Fish and Wildlife Resource Issues:
8-1. EQIP plan includes implementation of practices which
include pollinator friendly plant species in the crop rotation system. 20
points
8-2. EQIP plan includes implementation of conservation practices which include pollinator plant species for organic production systems (e.g. filter & buffer strips, hedge rows, windbreaks, etc.). 10 points
Maximum Points Allowed: 200 (Total Points in this Section: 260)
Multiplier Factor = 2
National Issues Priority Questions:
1. Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP
result in a considerable reduction of non-point source pollution, such as
nutrients, sediment, pesticides, excess salinity in impaired watersheds with total
maximum daily loads (TMDLs) where available, groundwater contamination or point
sources such as contamination from confined animal feeding operations? 20
points
2. Will the treatment you intend to implement for water conservation or irrigation efficiency using EQIP result in a considerable reduction in water use? 0 points
3. Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP result in a considerable reduction of emissions, such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds, and ozone precursors and depleters that contribute to air quality impairment violations of National Ambient Air Quality Standards? 0 points
4. Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP result in a considerable reduction in soil erosion and sedimentation from unacceptable levels on agricultural land? 30 points
5. Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP result in a considerable increase in the promotion of at-risk species habitat conservation? 10 points
6. Will the treatment that you intend to implement using EQIP result in considerable benefits to residue management, nutrient management, air quality management, invasive species management, pollinator habitat, and animal carcass management technology or pest management? 30 points
7. Will the treatment that you intend to implement using EQIP result in energy conservation benefits? 0 points
Total Points Allowed: 90
Multiplier Factor = 1
ProTracts Efficiency Score Multiplier: 500
Correlation Chart for NRCS Conservation Practices and NOP Requirements
Examples from California NRCS Field Office Technical Guide and USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) Regulation
Please note: the following table is also available as an easy to print PDF download. [Print Version/43KB]
Production Practice |
NOP Final Rule 7 CFR Part 205, Section and Practice Standard |
Wording in NOP Final Rule |
NRCS Mission Goals |
NRCS Practice Standard (Name and Number) |
Definition/Purposes (Highlights from the |
Natural Resource Conservation |
205.200 General |
Production practices implemented in accordance with this subpart must maintain or improve the natural resources of the operation, including soil and water quality. |
Productive Soils; Clean & Abundant Water; Healthy Plant & Animal Communities |
|
|
Natural Resource Conservation |
205.2
Terms defined: |
"The physical, hydrological, and biological features of a production operation, including soil, water, wetlands, woodlands, and wildlife." |
Productive Soils; Clean & Abundant Water; Healthy Plant & Animal Communities |
|
|
Conservation of Biodiversity |
205.2 Terms defined: "Organic production" |
"A production system that is managed in accordance with the Act and regulations in this part to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity." |
Productive Soils; Clean & Abundant Water; Healthy Plant & Animal Communities |
|
|
Cover Cropping |
205.203 Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrient Management |
The producer must select and implement tillage and cultivation practices that maintain or improve the physical, chemical and biological condition of the soil; manage soil fertility through rotations, cover crops... maintain or improve soil organic matter. |
Productive Soils; Clean & Abundant Water |
340 Cover Crop |
Seasonal cover to reduce erosion, increase soil organic matter, manage excess nutrients, promote biological nitrogen fixation, increase biodiversity, suppress weeds, manage soil moisture. |
Crop Rotation (annual crops) Crop Rotation (annual crops, cont'd) |
205.2 Terms defined: "Crop Rotation"
205.203(b) Soil fertility and crop nutrient practice standard
205.205 Crop rotation practice standard
205.206 Crop pest, weed, and disease management practice standard. |
"The practice of alternating annual crops on a specific field in a planned pattern or sequence in successive crop years so that crops of the same species or family are not grown repeatedly without interruption on the same field..."
The producer must manage crop nutrients and soil fertility through rotations, cover crops, and the application of plant and animal materials.
The producer must implement a crop rotation including but not limited to sod, cover crops, green manure crops, and catch crops that provide the following functions that are applicable to the operation: (a) maintain or improve soil organic matter content; (b) provide for pest management in annual and perennial crops; (c) manage deficient or excess plant nutrients; and (d) provide erosion control.
The producer must use management practices to prevent crop pests, weeds, and diseases including but not limited to: (1) Crop rotation... |
Productive Soils; Clean & Abundant Water; Healthy Plant & Animal Communities |
328 Conservation Crop Rotation
603 Herbaceous wind barriers |
Growing crops in sequence on the same field to reduce erosion, maintain or improve soil organic matter content, manage plant nutrients, improve water use efficiency, manage plant pests (weeds, insects, and diseases), provide food for livestock, and food and cover for wildlife.
Vegetation established in rows or narrow strips in the field across the prevailing wind direction to reduce soil erosion, protect growing crops, increase plant available moisture, and provide food and cover for wildlife. |
Crop Rotation (perennial crops) Crop Rotation (perennial crops, cont'd) |
205.2 Terms defined: "Crop Rotation"
Soil fertility... (see above)
205.205 Crop Rotation practice standard
205.206 Crop pest, weed, and disease management practice standard. |
"...Perennial cropping systems employ means such as alley cropping, intercropping, and hedgerows to introduce biological diversity in lieu of crop rotation."
The producer must ... minimize soil erosion.
The producer must: (a) maintain or improve soil organic matter content; (b) provide for pest management in annual and perennial crops; (c) manage deficient or excess plant nutrients; and (d) provide erosion control.
(a) The producer must use management practices to prevent crop pests, weeds, and diseases including but not limited to: (1) Crop rotation... (b)(2) Development of habitat for natural enemies of pests. |
Productive Soils; Clean & Abundant Water; Healthy Plant & Animal Communities |
311 Alley cropping
Related Practice Standards:
386 Field Border
380 Windbreak/ Shelterbelt Establishment
422 Hedgerow planting
704 Agroforestry Planting |
Trees or shrubs planted...with crops, or forages produced in the alleys between the rows of woody plants to improve or optimize the economic viability of the operation... to reduce excess surface water runoff and erosion, improve utilization and recycling of soil nutrients ...create habitat for biological pest management, improve crop diversity, quantity, quality and economic returns, enhance aesthetics, increase net carbon storage in the vegetation and soil. |
Erosion Control
Erosion Control (cont'd) |
205.203 Soil fertility and crop nutrient management practice standard
205.205 Crop Rotation practice standard |
The producer must select and implement tillage and cultivation practices that maintain or improve the physical, chemical, and biological condition of soil and minimize soil erosion.
The producer must ... provide erosion control. |
Productive Soils |
330 Contour Farming 331Contour Orchard and other fruit areas 332 Contour Buffer strips
Related Practice Standards: 393 Filter Strip 329 A, B, C and 344 Residue Management 344 Residue Management, 350 Sediment Basin, 386 Field Border, 412 Grassed Waterway, 423 Hillside Ditch, 342 Critical Area Planting, 390 Riparian Herbaceous cover, 484 Mulching, 557 Row Arrangement, 570 Runoff Management (continued in next column) |
Tillage, planting, and other farming operations performed on or near the contour of the field slope to reduce erosion and transport of sediment and other water-borne contaminants downslope, reduce soil and water loss, to better control and use water, and to operate farm equipment more easily, and enhance wildlife habitat.
Related Program regulation (continued from previous column: 586 Stripcropping, 599 A and C Cross Wind Ridges, 612 Tree and shrub planting, 601 Vegetative barrier, 603 Herbaceous wind barriers, 741 Vegetative buffer strip, and many others. |
Protection of Water Quality |
205.202 Land Requirements |
Any field or farm parcel
from which harvested crops are intended to be sold, labeled, or represented
as "organic," must: (c) Have distinct, defined boundaries and buffer zones such as runoff diversions to prevent the unintended application of a prohibited substance to the crop or contact with a prohibited substance applied to adjoining land that is not under organic management. |
Clean & Abundant Water |
|
|
Protection of Air Quality
Protection of Air Quality |
205.203(e)(3)
205.203(e)(3) |
The producer must not use: |
Clean Air; Productive Soils |
660 Tree/shrub pruning/smoke reduction |
|
Nutrient Management and Fertilization |
205.203(c) Soil fertility and crop nutrient management practice standard |
The producer must manage plant and animal materials to maintain or improve soil organic matter content in a manner that does not contribute to contamination of crops, soil or water with plant nutrients, pathogenic organisms, heavy metals, or residues of prohibited substances. |
Productive Soils; Clean & Abundant Water |
590 Nutrient Management
633 Waste Utilization
Related Practice Standards: 484 Mulching 317 Composting Facility
|
...supply nutrients for plant production to properly utilize manure or organic by-products as a plant nutrient source, minimize agricultural non-point source pollution, maintain or improve the physical, chemical and biological condition of soil.
Using agricultural wastes such as manure...and other organic residues; to protect water quality, provide fertility for crop, forage, fiber...and forest products, improve or maintain soil structure... |
Pest Management |
205.206 Crop Pest, weed, and disease management practice standard. |
The producer must use management practices to prevent crop pests, weeds, and diseases including but not limited to: (1) crop rotation and soil and crop nutrient management... (2) sanitation measures to remove disease vectors, weed seeds, and habitat for pest organisms, (3) cultural practices that enhance crop health, including selection of plant species and varieties with regard to suitability to site-specific conditions and resistance to prevalent pests, weeds and diseases... |
Healthy Plant & Animal Communities |
595 Pest Management
Related Practice Standards: 422 Hedgerow planting
380 Windbreak |
Manage agricultural pest infestations (including weeds, insects, and diseases) to reduce adverse effects on plant growth, crop production, and environmental resources. To develop a pest management program that is both consistent with selected crop production goals and environmentally acceptable. |
Protection of Natural Areas Protection of Natural Areas |
205.207 Wild crop harvesting practice standard |
(b) A wild crop must be harvested in a manner that ensures that such harvesting or gathering will not be destructive to the environment and will sustain the growth and production of the wild crop. |
Healthy Plant & Animal Communities |
|
|
Manure Management |
205.203(c) Soil fertility (Composting of raw manure) 205.239(c) Livestock living conditions |
Raw animal manure...must be composted unless it is (i) applied to land used for a crop not intended for human consumption; (ii) incorporated into the soil not less than 120 days prior to the harvest of a product whose edible portion has direct contact with soil...(iii) ...90 days prior to the harvest of a product whose edible portion does not have direct contact...
The producer of an organic livestock operation must manage manure in such a manner that it does not con-tribute to contamination of crops, soil, or water by plant nutrients, heavy metals or pathogenic organ-isms and optimizes recycling of nutrients. |
Productive Soils; Clean & Abundant Water |
634 Manure Transfer
635 Wastewater Treatment Strip
Related Practice Standards: 575 Animal trails and walkways
|
Manure conveyance system ...to transfer animal manure (bedding material, spilled feed, process and wash water, and other residues... to agricultural land for final utilization. A treatment component of an agricultural waste management system consisting of a strip or area of herbaceous vegetation to improve water quality by reducing loading of nutrients, organics, pathogens, and other contaminants associated with animal manure and other wastes... |
Livestock Operations
Livestock Operations (cont'd) |
205.236 Origin of livestock
205.237 Livestock feed
205.238 Livestock health care practice standard
205.239 Livestock living conditions
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Livestock must be organic from the last third of gestation; dairy for 12 months; poultry from second day of life.
Feed must be 100% organic. Ruminants must have access to pasture. Approved synthetic vitamin and mineral supplements are allowed. Feeding animal by-products, urea and manure is prohibited
Preventative Health Care Selection of species...suitability for site-specific conditions and resistance to prevalent diseases and parasites. Provision of feed rations sufficient to meet nutritional requirements...appropriate housing. Pasture conditions...minimize the occurrence and spread of diseases and parasites. ...allow exercise and freedom of movement...reduction of stress. Performance of physical alterations as needed for the animal's welfare. Administration of vaccines and veterinary biologics are allowed.
Must accommodate the health and natural behavior of animals: Access to outdoors, shade, shelter, sun, fresh air... Pasture for ruminants. Appropriate clean, dry bedding.
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Healthy Plant & Animal Communities; Working Farms & Ranches |
721 Rangeland fertilization 210 Hayland Management 512 Pasture and Hay Planting
Related Practice Standards: 528: Prescribed grazing 548 Grazing land mechanical treatment 550 Range Planting 614 Watering Facility 511 Forage Harvest Management
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Establish /prolong life of desirable plant species or plant cover for erosion control, wildlife habitat, to maintain or improve the quality and quantity of forage, protect the soil and reduce water loss. Establish adapted and compatible species, improve or maintain livestock nutrition and/or health, extend the length of the grazing season
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Prescribed Grazing |
205.239(a) Livestock living conditions
205.2 Terms defined: "Pasture"
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(a) The producer of an organic livestock operation must establish and
maintain livestock living conditions which accommodate the health and natural
behavior of animals, including:
"Land used for livestock grazing that is managed to provide feed value and maintain or improve soil, water, and vegetative resources." |
Clean & Abundant Water; Healthy Plant & Animal Communities |
528: Prescribed grazing |
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Protection of Soil and Water Quality |
205.239(b) Livestock living conditions |
(b) The producer of an organic livestock operation may provide temporary confinement for an animal because of: (1) Inclement weather; (2) The animal's stage of production; (3) Conditions under which the health, safety, or well being of the animal could be jeopardized; or (4) Risk to soil or water quality. |
Productive Soils; Clean & Abundant Water; Healthy Plant & Animal Communities; Working Farms & Ranches |
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Prepared by Ann Baier and Rex Dufour, Program Specialists, National Center for Appropriate Technology, and Jim Riddle, Organic Outreach Coordinator, University of Minnesota. July 31, 2008.
This page was last updated on: June 16, 2010
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