Organic Farming Scheme to re-open to new entrants The Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) will reopen to new entrants in the first week of March, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Pippa Hackett has announced. The re-opening, subject to EU Commission approval, is expected to result in an increase of up to 30% in the number of farmers farming organically in Ireland this year. The OFS is an agri-environment measure under the Department’s Rural Development Programme (RDP). Farmers entering the scheme could qualify for yearly payments of up to €220/ha during the conversion period and up to €170/ha when they have achieved full organic status.