LAMOURE, N.D. - Organic farmers in 2017 will have an easier way to apply for federal funds that partially cover their third party organic certification costs, U.S. Department of Agriculture says.
Instead of applying for cost-share through state departments of agriculture, farmers can now apply at Farm Service Agency offices, which are located in 2,100 counties nationwide. On Dec. 21, USDA said the program was being moved from its Agricultural Marketing Service to the FSA. Cost share for this part of the U.S. is funded by the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program.
Edd Goerger, executive director of the Northern Plains Sustainable Agriculture Society, based in LaMoure, N.D., says the program has most likely been underutilized, and USDA says it's trying to increase participation in the cost-share program. In North Dakota, for example, there have only been two or three applicants, while Goerger's organization has more than 100 members, many of whom are organic farmers.
Farmers typically pay $600 for a third-party certification application, Goerger says. They also pay another $300 to $400 per inspection. The cost share covers 75 percent of an individual's application certification costs, up to a maximum of $750 annually.
In addition, growers pay half of 1 percent on the gross sales for their organic products. That part of the transaction not eligible for the cost share.
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For the first time, the program offers a "modest but meaningful" cost-share reimbursement for transitional certification fees.
FSA will continue to partner with states that want to continue to directly administer the programs. The agency will accept applications from states for funds to provide cost-share assistance between Jan. 3 and Feb. 17.
Starting March 20, producers and handlers can apply for reimbursement for their certification costs at all FSA county offices, and through all state agencies that choose to continue to participate.
Organic growers and would-be growers can learn more about the cost-share program when the NPSAS holds its 38th annual winter conference Jan. 26 to 28 in Aberdeen, S.D., Goerger says. With the low prices in conventional agriculture, NPSAS officials are seeing increased interest in farmers making the transition to organic farming, so the event will have more detailed focus on issues such as weed control and markets, Goerger says.
First-timers who register online by Jan. 6 can qualify for $25 per day early-bird rates. Those registering normally will pay $175 for the main two days. Members pay $110 per day, and non-members pay $135 per day. For more information, visit npsas.org.
