The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced September 18th that $22 million in federal funds are available for organic certification cost assistance. The funds are available for producers and handlers of organic agricultural products in any state of the United States of America, its territories, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Oregon Tilth, along with many partner organizations, advocated for this program during work on the most recent Farm Bill.

Funds should be available for distribution through state agricultural agencies before the end of the year. Each state must apply for their share of federal cost-share funds through the USDA National Organic Program. The USDA plans to allocate funds in proportion to the number of organic producers and handlers within each state. The states, in turn, will reimburse each eligible producer or handler up to 75 percent of its organic certification costs, not to exceed $750.

For more see http://www.tilth.org/news/organic-certification-cost-share-funds-available