BOZEMAN, Mont. — The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Montana is accepting applications for the Organic Transition Initiative.

The program provides financial and technical assistance for conservation practices that support organic production.

NRCS will use the program to help farmers, ranchers, forest landowners and other producers adopt to new organic management standards.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service released the following:

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Montana is accepting applications for the Organic Transition Initiative. This is a USDA initiative that provides financial assistance (FA) and technical assistance (TA) for conservation practices that support organic production. NRCS accepts applications year-round, but applications for the current funding cycle must be submitted by December 30, 2023.

The Organic Transition Initiative furthers USDA’s objective of developing diverse food systems while encouraging climate-smart agriculture by focusing funds on transitioning producers to organic production. This initiative dedicates financial and technical assistance to a new organic management standard.

NRCS is dedicating funding to assist producers with a new organic management standard under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). NRCS will help producers adopt the new organic management standard, which allows flexibility for producers to get the assistance and support they need. It supports conservation practices required for organic certification.

Higher payment rates and other options are available for underserved producers including socially disadvantaged, beginning, veteran, and limited resource farmers and ranchers.

Eligible producers include farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, and other producers beginning or in the process of transitioning to organic certification.