Indiana's organic farmers can compete for nearly $767,000 in federal funds under a new push to encourage conservation on the state's organic farms.

The funding announced Monday is part of the USDA's Environmental
Quality Incentives Program. State Conservationist Jane Hardisty says helping the nation's organic farmers is one of the priorities of the 2008 Farm Bill.

Eligible organic producers can compete for the funding, which can go toward conservation crop rotation, planting filter strips along waterways to filter out sediments and other uses.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service will accept applications from organic producers or producers in transition to organic farming until April 1.