Sign-up Now Open for $451,235 in AMA Conservation Funding to Help Maryland Farmers Transition to Organic Farming

Maryland Media Liaison:

Carol Hollingsworth, 443-482-2902

Annapolis, MD (March 10, 2006) --- Virginia (Ginger) L. Murphy, State Conservationist for the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Maryland, announced that Maryland received $451,235 in fiscal year 2006 conservation funding through USDA Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Program. NRCS has leadership responsibility for implementing AMA.

The application process to receive consideration for AMA funds begins at the local County NRCS or Soil Conservation District Office. The sign-up period closes on March 31, 2006 so interested farmers should immediately contact these offices for more information on eligible conservation practices, the application process, and receiving conservation assistance. NRCS may hold a second sign-up period this spring if additional funds become available.

“NRCS is working in partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), Maryland Cooperative Extension, and the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) together to provide financial and technical assistance to farmers transitioning to organic production,” said Murphy.  “NRCS is providing financial assistance to farmers through AMA to help mitigate their risk of transitioning to organic production and its related water quality concerns such as sedimentation, nutrients, soil quality, and pesticides.” 

Farmers can receive up to 75 percent financial cost share assistance on eligible agronomic and cultural practices that are necessary to the successful transition to organic production.  Limited Resource and Beginning Farmers transitioning to organic agriculture production are encouraged to participate in AMA.  Farmers should contact their local NRCS office to determine program eligibility and level of financial assistance

MDA’s Maryland Organic Certification Program, accredited by the USDA for compliance with the National Organic Program, certified 76 farms in 2005.  “Because of increased consumer demand for organic products, MDA is proud to offer certification to those producers who meet the national organic standards,” said Agriculture Secretary Lewis R. Riley.  “The funds made available by NRCS, in conjunction with the technical assistance provided by the Maryland Cooperative Extension, will make the transition to organic farming a reality for many interested farmers.”

Eligible practices include:

• Cover crop plantings (such as hairy vetch or rye) for residue and nitrogen production as part of a long term crop rotation,
• Planting hay in a long term crop rotation, including necessary amendments,
• Development of rotational grazing systems that recycle nutrients and enhance the environment,
• Management and establishments costs for seed, planting management and fencing systems for organic pasture livestock production,
• Pest management and scouting inspections,
• Establishing field buffers to isolate and create habitat for beneficial insects for vegetables, row crops and other organic crops, and
• Other practices as identified by professionals trained in certified organic production.

AMA applicants will be ranked based on the development of a sustainable crop rotation that protects the resource base and enhances management of an organic system.  “With good soil building crops, such as alfalfa, greater flexibility in management in other years can be achieved.  Alfalfa also provides a crop that will lower phosphorus levels in high phosphorous soils allowing for continued animal waste application which is a desirable component of an organic system,” said Murphy. 

Multiple year contracts will be ranked and funded based on likely soil quality improvement and soil and water quality outcomes of the proposed management systems not on farm size.  Contracts are limited to $50,000 per year up to $150,000 per contract.

“Maryland is fortunate to have received AMA funds.  Not every state is eligible to participate in AMA.  The program is only available this year in six states, as designated by the Secretary of Agriculture.  Nationally, NRCS has decided to focus its AMA funds on states in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and the Lake Champlain Watershed to accelerate the installation of conservation practices in these national priority watersheds,” said Murphy.

Landowners can learn more about AMA and other Farm Bill Programs by contacting NRCS Maryland offices or by visiting the NRCS Maryland homepage at www.md.nrcs.usda.gov.