Organic Farming Scheme

What the Organic Farming Scheme is

The Organic Farming Scheme provides financial support to farmers to encourage production of organic foods.

Organic Farming Scheme

Converting to Organic Farming:

Organic farming involves undergoing a period of conversion in which the land and producer adjust to organic farming methods. The conversion period for the change from conventional to organic farming will be for a duration of two years. Organic Farmers will receive priority access to Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES).

Steps to Join the Organic Farming Scheme:

• Register as Organic  – contact an Organic Control Body (see details above)
• Complete an approved Organic Farming Principles course  – Teagasc or National Organic Traning Skillnet(NOTS) (details below)
• To find an Organic Agent contact Teagasc or Agricultural Consultans Association(ACA) (details below)

Teagasc:

Elaine Leavy, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath.  Email: Elaine.Leavy@teagasc.ie

Joe Kelleher, Teagasc, Gortboy, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick. Email: Joe.Kelleher@teagasc.ie

Martin Bourke, Teagasc, Showgrounds, Gorey, Co. Wexford. Email: Martin.Bourke@teagasc.ie

ACA:

Agricultural Consultants Association(ACA), Granary Business Centre, Greenside, Carrick on Suir, Co Tipperary E32AK80. Email: acaservices@aca.ie

NOTS

National Organic Training Skillnet(NOTS), The Enterprise Centre, Hill Road, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim Email: info@nots.ie

Having registered as an organic operator with an Organic Control Body (OCB), you may then apply to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine to join the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS). This requires two separate online applications:

1. Submit separate Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) application ONLINE.

1. Declare land parcels as “in-conversion” or “organic” on Basic Income Support Scheme (BISS) application ONLINE.

Organic Farming Scheme (OFS):

A participation payment will be paid to farmers in the Organic Farming Scheme of €2,000 in their first year of conversion to organic farming and €1,400 per annum thereafter