The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service has extended to April 2 the applicaton deadline for certified organic production funding. The program is open to Texas producers who already run certified organic operations as well as to those in transition to organic production.

Financial and technical assistance is available through the voluntary organic initiative under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Through the Organic EQIP sign-up, farmers, ranchers and dairy operators may apply for financial assistance and technical expertise to plan and install conservation measures. Those techniques can include conservation crop rotation, cover crops, nutrient management, pest management, prescribed grazing, forest harvest management and more.

Particpants may receive as much as $20,000 annually or $80,000 during any six-year period. Applications for Farm Bill conservation programs are accepted on a continuous basis. Visit the nearest USDA Service Center to discuss conservation planning and to determine eligibility. More information is at www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ eqip/organic.