MORGANTOWN, W.Va. Dec. 11, 2023 – The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in West Virginia has announced today the dates for a signup under the Organic Transition Initiative (OTI).
Under this initiative, NRCS will dedicate financial and technical assistance to a new organic management standard and partner with new organic technical experts to increase staff capacity and expertise. West Virginia producers must submit their applications by February 16, 2024, to be considered under this initiative.
While applications are accepted year-round, applications submitted by February 16 will be considered for the next available funding. Applications received after February 16 will be considered during the next funding cycle.
NRCS will help producers adopt the new organic management standard, which allows flexibility for producers to get the assistance and education they need such as attending workshops or requesting help from experts or mentors. It supports conservation practices required for organic certification and may provide foregone income reimbursement for dips in production during the transition period.
Higher payment rates and other options are available for underserved producers including socially disadvantaged, beginning, veteran, and limited resource farmers and ranchers.
How to Apply
Eligible producers include farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, and other producers beginning or in the process of transitioning to organic certification. For more information or to sign up for this opportunity, producers should contact NRCS through their local USDA Service Center. Interested producers are encouraged to apply by February 16, 2024.
For more information, visit farmers.gov/organic.
