NRCS invests in organic transition and production in Iowa to improve soil health, reduce erosion, enhance plant productivity, minimize plant pressure, and MORE!

IOA and staff with the Iowa NRCS office will deliver an informational webinar on Wednesday, May 31 at noon to provide an overview and space for discussion about the new NRCS Organic Management Interim Conservation Practice Standard (823).  The Standard will provide technical and financial support for producers in organic transition and production.

Producers are encouraged to apply for these conservation funds at your county NRCS office. Please contact IOA if your office has questions, is unfamiliar, or would like added guidance in this process.  This is a new program and process added to field staff responsibilities just less than a month ago --- without a lot of training (or on-the-job organic field experience) --- please be patient and let IOA know how we can help.

• Transitioning producers: apply by Thurs, June 15 (payments expected in FY23)
• NOP certified producers: extended application period-no deadline yet, but producers are encouraged to apply as soon as possible (payments in FY24)

Register below to participate in the webinar or contact IOA staff for more information about OMS 823.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This is an interim CPS, which means this program is being piloted.  This CPS offers a sizeable incentive for organic operations that meet this Standard ($200-600/acre depending on your OPS). 

IOA is collecting comments and feedback about this Standard to share with the Iowa office – please email [email protected] with any comments or questions you may have and we can add those to summary. If the Iowa office decides to make this a permanent Standard, this would go through the public commenting process – where these comments would be helpful and valuable.

• Webinar: NRCS Support for Organic Transition- May 22 @ 1 p.m.
• NRCS Announces $75 Million to Assist Producers Transitioning to Organic as Part of USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative 
• Conservation Practice Standard-Organic Management – Code 823
• Conservation Practice Standard-Organic Management – Application

**Interested in organic transition, higher, dependable market premiums, and mentoring support? Contact IOA for resources and to learn more about a NEW farmer-to-farmer mentoring program to begin in the Fall of 2023.**

Funder Acknowledgment: This material is based upon work that is supported by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under the program agreement with the project number NR226114XXXXC004 titled "Organic Training & Tools for Iowa NRCS Staff and Ag Consultants." Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the NRCS and U.S. Department of Agriculture.