USDA Announces $11.9M In Assistance For Organic Certification
May 14, 2015 Following on the heels of the USDA’s announcement of record growth in the organic sector, the USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) announced $11.9 million in funds are available for growers through state departments of agriculture.
This assistance is to help defray the cost of organic producers and handlers.
“The organic industry saw record growth in 2014, accounting for more than $39 billion in retail sales in the United States,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The organic certification cost share programs help more organic businesses succeed and take advantage of economic opportunities in this growing market.”
The funding is provided on a cost share basis and certification assistance is distributed by two programs. Through the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program, $11 million is available to organic farms and businesses nationwide. Through the Agricultural Management Assistance Organic Certification Cost Share Program (AMA), an additional $900,000 is available to organic producers (crop and livestock operators only) in Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
This funding is available through a cost-share basis, and can cover up to 75% of an individual applicant’s certification costs, a maximum of $750 annually. In 2014, USDA issued nearly 10,000 reimbursements totaling more than $6 million.
To receive cost share assistance, certified organic producers and handlers should contact their appropriate state agencies via the contact information on the National Organic Program’s (NOP) cost share website. Each state has its own guidelines and requirements for reimbursement, and NOP assists states to successfully implement the programs. Applicants for cost share assistance through the AMA program are encouraged to apply early, as these funds are only available through Sept. 30, 2015.
Source: USDA AMS news release
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