FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Klamath County Farm Service Agency is Accepting Emergency Conservation Program Applications
(Klamath Falls, Oregon), October 4, 2021 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Laura Hall today announced that Klamath County is accepting applications for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to address damages from drought. ECP signup will begin on October 4, 2021, and end on December 3, 2021.
Financial assistance available to Oregon farmers, ranchers and forest landowners
Release No.: 2021-10-004
Next application deadline November 19
PORTLAND, Ore., October 19, 2021 — Opportunities are available for Oregon farmers, ranchers and forest owners to perform voluntary conservation activities on their privately-owned land with financial assistance from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
NRCS Oregon announces a new sign-up deadline for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Applicants must apply by November 19, 2021 to be considered for the first round of fiscal year 2022 funding.
The November 19 sign-up deadline applies to the following EQIP funding pools:
· General EQIP: In Oregon, general EQIP dollars are only available to producers within a Conservation Implementation Strategy (CIS) area. CIS’s are locally-led projects developed by farmers and partners through the NRCS Local Work Group process. See a map of current CIS’s on the NRCS Oregon homepage and a list of current CIS’s here.
· Organic EQIP: Offers assistance to USDA certified organic producers and to producers wishing to transition their operation to obtain an organic certification. Visit the Organic EQIP page here.
· Seasonal High Tunnel EQIP: Offers assistance to install a seasonal high tunnel (hoop house) to extend seasonal crop production to strengthen local and regional food markets while reducing pesticide use and energy inputs. Visit the Seasonal High Tunnel EQIP page here.
· On-Farm Energy EQIP: Assists producers to conserve energy on their farms through an on-farm energy audit and provides assistance to implement various recommended measures identified in an energy audit. Visit the On-Farm Energy EQIP page here.
· Sage Grouse Initiative EQIP: Focuses on making measurable and significant progress toward treating threats to rangeland health including sage grouse habitat on private lands. Visit the Sage Grouse Initiative EQIP page here.
· Animal Feeding Operation Initiative: Available to AFO producers statewide to address water quality and air quality resource concerns by developing a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan to manage manure and organic byproducts; and to implement conservation practices identified in that plan. Visit the Animal Feeding Operation Initiative page here.
· Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Initiative: These projects focus on reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire on private forestlands and adjacent federal lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Visit the Joint Chiefs page here.
· Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) EQIP projects: There are currently 17 active RCPP projects throughout Oregon. These are typically 5-year projects with specific goals within regions and watersheds. Visit the Oregon RCPP webpage to learn more about RCPP funding opportunities and program eligibility. To apply for RCPP and see what is available in your area, call your local USDA Service Center or lead partner for the RCPP Project.
· National Water Quality Initiative: NRCS works closely with conservation partners to select priority watersheds where on-farm conservation investments will deliver the greatest water quality improvements. Fiscal year 2022 funding is available for the Lost River watershed in Klamath County. Visit the National Water Quality Initiative page here.
To learn more about EQIP funding opportunities in Oregon and for more information about program eligibility, visit the Oregon EQIP webpage.
Interested applicants can also contact their local USDA Service Center to inquire about EQIP opportunities in their county and to apply for assistance.
The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board is pleased to announce an offering for Organizational Collaboration Grant applications.
The purpose of these grants is to support new or expanded strategic collaborations to build resilient, sustainable, local organizations that achieve ecological outcomes and engage local communities.
The revised Organizational Collaboration grant offering will focus funding specifically toward organizations pursuing operational changes that address gaps in capacity and improve delivery of actions to protect and restore native fish and wildlife habitats and water quality and stream flows.
Eligible activities include:
· Mergers/consolidations.
· Development of formal alliances, such as an arrangement between two or more organizations to work together on a mutually beneficial project while retaining organizational independence.
· Development of action networks, including a network of organizations that seek complete alignment to achieve specific objectives.
Application Information
The maximum request is $75,000.
All partnerships interested in submitting a grant application are required to participate in a pre-application consultation with OWEB staff.
Consultations will occur beginning in October and can be scheduled by contacting Courtney Shaff, OWEB (971-345-7012).
Applications are due by February 24, 2022 at 5pm.
Oregon Department of Agriculture - Organic Cost Share Reimbursement Program Now Accepting Applicants
USDA awards Oregon $109,250 for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) allocated more than $6 million for the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) nationwide. Oregon was awarded $109,250 for the 2021 funding year. The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is a USDA-accredited certifying agent for organic crop production and handling/processing. The purpose of the OCCSP is to reimburse organic operations for specific organic certification costs. Oregon is fourth in the nation in the sales of certified organic commodities.
“The past year has been difficult for Oregonians and the cost of receiving and maintaining organic certification should not be a barrier for Oregon producers wanting to compete in the organic marketplace,” said Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Alexis Taylor. “Farms and businesses that produce, process, or package certified organic agricultural products are eligible for the 50 percent reimbursement of certification related costs. I encourage our Oregon organic growers, processors and producers to take advantage of this opportunity."
Congress authorizes the USDA to provide organic certification cost-share assistance to Oregon producers or handlers who have paid eligible costs from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021. In addition, Oregon producers or handlers that receive certification or renew their certification from a USDA accredited certifier are eligible to receive reimbursement for 50% of eligible certification fees, up to a maximum of $500 per annual certification scope.
Completed applications and all necessary documents with proof of payment between October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021, must be submitted by November 1, 2021. Reimbursements will be made on a first-come, first-served basis until all available funds have been disbursed. For completed applications, please allow 3-4 weeks to receive your reimbursement.
Contact: Gabrielle Ugalde
503-986-6473
