Organic EQIP Special Initiative Very Popular in the Great Falls Golden Triangle Area

October 23, 2009
by  Joe Carleton, Montana NRCS Agronomist

Montana’s first special initiative (SI) for organic producers was very well received in the Great Falls Area (GFA). Due to the short timeframe for processing applications and the limited experience planners had with organic agriculture, it was decided the area agronomist would lead the planning process. “We wanted to make sure everyone was hearing the same information,” said Joe Carleton. “Since we were right in the middle of obligating our regular EQIP funds, it just made sense to try to standardize the approach.” The outreach from Public Affairs was highly effective, resulting in an overwhelming interest with 36 applications for the SI within the GFA.

Statewide the Organic EQIP 2009 SI funding pool was set at $1.2 million. The GFA ended up obligating 26 contracts in 9 counties assisting 13 producers’ transition to organic farming, and adding conservation practices to 13 certified organic producers’ existing systems. This resulted in $1,176,553 obligated on 31,534 acres of crop land. “All in all, we felt the process went very smoothly and we generated an exciting new group of producers willing to work with us on sustainable cropping systems,” commented Carleton.

Last Modified: 10/26/2009