Want some help with marketing your organic produce?
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces the availability of $1.5 million in funds for allocation to State Department of Agriculture for providing cost share assistance to eligible organic producers certified to the National Organic Program (NOP).
Under the applicable FCIA provisions, the department is authorized to provide cost-share assistance to organic producers in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
Each State Department of Agriculture (Agencies, Commissions or Departments) in the aforementioned states, that is interested in obtaining program funds are invited to submit applications to AMS.
Applications for federal assistance from states must be submitted to the National Organic Program by Nov. 1, 2009.
The program will provide cost-share assistance, through participating states, to organic producers receiving certification or continuation of certification by a USDA accredited certifying agent commencing Oct. 1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2010.
Cost-share assistance payments are limited to 75 percent of an individual producer’s certification costs up to a maximum of $750 per year.
Organic producers within the eligible states must contact their local State Department of Agriculture to apply for cost-share assistance.
To receive cost-share assistance, organic producers must submit an application to the representative agency of the state in which their farm/operation is located. This application must include: 1) proof of NOP certification issued or continued within the cost-share qualifying period, Oct. 1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2010, and; 2) an itemized invoice demonstrating costs incurred for NOP certification.This program is in addition to and separate from the National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program which is also administered by AMS and is open to all states and U.S. Territories.
Link to Federal Register notice announcing AMA cost share program.
Or contact Robert Pooler, Ag Marketing Specialist, (202) 720-3252.
