May 31, 2023

USDA schedules June 6 Growing Organic web seminar

Organic growers or those transitioning to organic looking for help from the USDA can learn more about the process in a June 6 USDA web seminar.

The Growing Organic with USDA web seminar is designed to show how the USDA offers a wide range of programs to help agricultural producers grow organically, for both certified and transitioning operations.

In the past year, USDA has increased its investments for organic agriculture, including the new Organic Transition Initiative (OTI) that helped create new programs as well as bolster support for existing ones, according to a news release.

Presenters from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Risk Management Agency (RMA), and Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) are scheduled to share information on a variety of subjects, including:

• Assistance with certification costs
• Access to capital, including loans to help with wash and pack stations, cold storage, portable cold storage, purchasing land and equipment, and operational costs
• Technical and financial assistance for conservation practices
• Risk management options and benefits for organic producers
• Changes for producers required by the Strengthening Organic Enforcement final rule
• New wrap-around support for transitioning and existing organic farmers
• New grant funding for organic processors and brands.

The technical and financial assistance for conservation practices segment will include the $70 million in additional funding for NRCS conservation programs through OTI.

Speakers are scheduled to include:

• Christopher Vazquez, FSA organic cost share certification program manager
• Toni Williams, FSA Farm Storage Facility Loan, Sugar Storage Facility Loan, and Sugar Loan program manager
• Lindsay Haines, NRCS National Organic and Pest Management specialist
• Lane Webb, RMA risk management specialist
• Penny Zuck, AMS National Organic Program agricultural marketing specialist

The seminar will include a question-and-answer session. A recording will be available after the webinar.

Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) is the USDA’s focal point for the nation’s farmers and ranchers and other stewards of private agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest lands.

Register for the seminar here.