Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.”
The NCDA&CS is offering organic growers the opportunity to apply for partial reimbursement of the cost of becoming certified or recertified. Organic growers who are certified or recertified between Oct. 1, 2013, and Sept. 30, 2014, can apply for assistance through the program. The program will pay 75 percent of the cost of certification, up to a total of $750.
Farms can be reimbursed in four separate categories: crops, livestock, wild crop and handler/processor.
The program is for the 2013-2014 season, and the funding comes from a $212,000 grant from the USDA. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and applications must be postmarked by Dec. 1.
To apply, growers must provide a completed application along with detailed invoices/statements from the certifying agency listing all National Organic Program certified costs, an IRS W-9 form and a copy of your certificate or letter from your certifier if this is a new certification. All charges must be for USDA organic certification. For more information or to download an application, click here. If you have questions, please contact Heather Barnes in the NCDA&CS Marketing Division at 919-707-3127.
Click on the audio player below to listen to Commissioner Troxler and Rhonda discuss this cost-share program.
[Audio:http://info.ncagr.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/Troxler_9-30.mp3|titles=Today’s Topic for Sept. 30]
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