Transitioning to organic farming can be accomplished with the help of grants from the U.S. government
Starting an organic farm, from scratch or from an existing farm you were operating using different farming methods, can have a number of benefits. Going organic can allow you to avoid needing to purchase costly and possibly toxic pesticides to treat your crops; this will mean your environmental impact will much better than that of farmers who raise crops using large-scale production methods. Another benefit of organic farming is that you'll be able to access a customer base willing to pay a bit more in exchange for knowing that the food they buy and eat wasn't grown at a negative cost to the soil and surrounding environment. Several grants are available for organic farming.
History
According to a 2006 article in "Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems," the organic farming concept developed prior to 1940 by Sir Albert Howard; Howard developed a concept of soil futility centered on building soil humus, and emphasized how soil life is connected to the health of crops, livestock and mankind. Organic farming advocates were in conflict with the agricultural establishment for several decades, but in 1980 the United States Department of Agriculture published Report and Recommendations on Organic Farming, finally starting the shift in awareness and attention on organic farming. In 1990, the Federal Organic Foods Production act began an official era of accommodation.
USDA Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative
In December 2010, the United States Department of Agriculture allocated $50 million for a second year to help certified organic growers as well as those transitioning to organic farming systems with financial and technical assistance. Growers can receive financial and technical assistance to put into place stream buffers, to manage pests, to rotate crops and plant hedgerows, and to execute other conservation measures. Sign up by visiting the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service local service center. Three-quarters of the cost for the organic conservation measures is covered, while beginning farmers can be compensated up to 90 percent.
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education
SARE is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture within the U.S. Department of Agriculture; its goal is to develop and disseminate information about sustainable agriculture. SARE puts out requests for proposals in each of the four regions of the United States. Farmers who are starting organic farms can today apply for grants through the program; generally grants awarded range between $500 and $15,000. Each region has a website; visit the SARE website (see References) to see if your state is part of the Western, Southern, North Central, or Northeast region, as deadlines and guidelines required differ according to regions.
Organic Research and Extensive Initiative
The Organic Research and Extensive Initiative, or OREI, aims to help organic products grow more and reach more people. The program awards grants to producers with organic standards in place; it assists them to market high-quality organic agricultural projects. Individuals, for-profit organizations, and private organizations or institutions can apply.
Tags: organic farming, Department Agriculture, United States, conservation measures, Extensive Initiative, financial technical, financial technical assistance