May 2, 2023

Georgia growers encouraged to apply for Organic Transition Initiative

Sign-up for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Organic Transition Initiative is available in Georgia through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

Terrence O. Rudolph, state conservationist for the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service in Georgia, announced the sign-up following a recent national announcement detailing the multiagency approach to assisting producers beginning or in the process of transitioning to achieve organic certification.

EQUIP is NRCS’ flagship conservation program that helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners integrate conservation into working lands.

Those interested in the current round of funding should apply by June 15.

“Producers who are transitioning to organic production can take comfort in knowing the NRCS is here to help them through this process,” Rudolph said in a news release. “This multi-agency initiative is allowing us at USDA to expand and improve our assistance by providing new tools and practices to those going down this road.”

The new organic management standard gives producers the flexibility to get the assistance and education needed, such as attending workshops or requesting help from organic production experts or mentors. It supports conservation activities and practices required for organic certification and may provide foregone income reimbursement for dips in production during the transition period.

For more information, visit farmers.gov/your-business/organic.