# Organic Assistance Specialists

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/usda-nrcs-nhq-oan-23-nofo0001227-organic-assistance-specialists/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/347467

> Natural Resources Conservation Service offered grants of up to $5.0 million (at least $750,000) to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make about 7 awards worth $5.0 million in total. Applications closed on June 11, 2023.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | USDA-NRCS-NHQ-OAN-23-NOFO0001227 |
| Agency | Natural Resources Conservation Service |
| Status | Forecast |
| Deadline | June 11, 2023 |
| Award ceiling | $5.0 million |
| Award floor | $750,000 |
| Expected awards | 7 |
| Total funding | $5.0 million |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 10.902 |

## Who can apply

- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

This opportunity is open to all domestic applicants.

## What the grant funds

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary NRCS is soliciting applications for six regional organic specialists and one organic research specialist. NRCS is looking to expand their existing organic expertise thru relationships within the organic community. Through this collaboration the agency wants to increase conservation assistance to organic producers and those transitioning to organic production in the United States and the Pacific Islands and Caribbean areas through improved partnerships with organizations. The regional organic specialist position locations will be negotiable, but specialists will work in designated regions through NRCS’s Regional Technical Support Centers in Greensboro, North Carolina, Fort Worth, Texas, and Portland, Oregon. The regions can be viewed at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/leadership. The East National Technology Support Center in Greensboro, NC services NRCS’s Northeast and Southeast Regions. The Central National Technology Support Center in Fort Worth, TX services NRCS’s Central Region. The West National Technology Support Center in Portland, OR services NRCS’s West Region. The organic research specialist will be a remote position. The organic coordinators will be collaborating with the NRCS designated National organic specialist in Washington, DC. All positions will collaborate with partners to: · Increase knowledge of USDA conservation initiatives on developing organic agriculture production systems. · Develop technical information for agency staff. · Increase knowledge of the NRCS conservation planning process and how it correlates to the organic system plan. · Enable more strategically focused and effective outreach efforts to increase conservation assistance to organic producers. The organic research specialist will review, develop, and disseminate research and technical guidance for organic agriculture. Partner organizations and individuals must have expertise, knowledge, and experience related to educating farmers and the public about sustainable growing practices that promote soil health, conserve natural resources, and prevent environmental degradation while producing a clean, healthful, and secure food supply. Through this agreement, NRCS and partner organizations will develop new technical information and transfer that information to conservationists, organic certifiers, and producers.

## Questions people ask

### Is USDA-NRCS-NHQ-OAN-23-NOFO0001227 still open?

No. It closed on June 11, 2023.

### Who can apply for Organic Assistance Specialists?

Natural Resources Conservation Service accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

### What is the deadline for Organic Assistance Specialists?

Closed June 11, 2023. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.

### How much funding is available?

Awards of up to $5.0 million each. About $5.0 million in total across about 7 awards.

### Who has won Soil and Water Conservation grants before?

The largest recipients over five fiscal years were National Association of Conservation Districts, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Pheasants Forever, Inc. The program made 2,560 awards worth $1.5 billion in that time.