Organic Farming Policy and Conservation Resources

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program
(EQIP) is a US Department of Agriculture program that helps farmers and ranchers who want to protect natural resources on their farms. Producers can apply for funds and technical assistance through this program. EQIP has an Organic Initiative available only for organic agricultural producers and those transitioning to organic. Read more...

NRCS State Technical Committees and Local Working Groups: A Guide for Organic Farmers and Ranchers
Work with us to shape federal Farm Bill conservation programs that better serve organic farmers in your state.  It's easy to participate as a member of the State Technical Committee (STC) or a Local Working Group (LWG) for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Read more...

USDA Conservation Funding to Organic Producers
The United States Department of Agriculture provides funding to help organic producers and those transitioning to organic production implement resource conservation practices on their agricultural operations. OFRF provides a state-by-state guide to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services programs for organic producers. Read more...

Federal Legislation
OFRF works on legislative issues at the federal level to develop federal programs and increase funding resources that support organic agriculture. Our three primary focus areas are the Farm Bill, Budget and Appropriations, and Food Safety rules that affect organic producers. Read more...

Conservation Stewardship Program
The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is a comprehensive working lands program available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). CSP rewards producers for practices and systems that protect the environment and natural resources. The program targets practices that conserve or improve soil, water, air, energy, biodiversity, and wildlife habitat. Through CSP, producers receive technical and financial assistance for maintaining existing conservation measures and for adopting additional conservation practices. The NRCS will will award five-year CSP contracts to qualifying producers for up to $200,000. Enrollment for the program is nationwide and continuous. Read more...

FAQs About Food Safety Act
The Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), also known as the Food Safety Act or S. 510, was signed into law on January 4, 2011.  The Act amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to safety of the food supply.  The Act is aimed at helping the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prevent food safety problems, and it gives FDA new enforcement authorities and new tools for managing imported foods.  In addition, it requires food facilities to identify potential food safety hazards and to develop and implement preventive control plans. Read more...