Last Call! Organic Certification Cost Share 2012 Reimbursements

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Announcement

September 5, 2012

Greetings!

Organic certification is more affordable when USDA pays up to 75 percent of the costs. Funds are still available--as much as $750 per certified operation--to certified organic farmers and businesses.

We hope the organic community will help connect certified operations with this opportunity!

But time is running out... some States' deadlines are as early as September 30th! All it takes is a short, simple application, along with proof of certification expenses.

This year, 49 States are offering cost share assistance, as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Is Your Operation Certified Organic?

Don't wait! Follow these simple steps to get your 2012 cost share reimbursement:

Contact your State's Department of Agriculture.
Complete a short form, documenting certification expenses through September 30th.
Receive a check for as much as 75 percent--up to $750--of your certification costs.

View Contact Information for Each State

Do You Serve Organic Operations?

The cost share program makes organic certification more affordable, which can allow operations to invest in additional conservation efforts, expand their businesses, or save for unforeseen circumstances.

To help you spread the word about the cost share program, we hope you will consider the following, keeping in mind that some States have a September 30th deadline:

Manage a listserv?
Have a newsletter? Include a pre-written article on cost share or a pre-designed ad.
Work with a rural reporter? Encourage them to write a story on cost share or air the story from USDA radio.
Write a blog? Post a recent USDA Blog article on cost share.
Meeting with organic farmers? Bring along cost share brochures in English or Spanish.
Looking for state-specific cost share information? Check out the report to Congress.

Please help us give certified operations the opportunity to apply by September 30th!

If you have questions, please contact Patricia Atkins or call 202-720-3252.

About the National Organic Program (NOP)
The NOP facilitates trade and ensures integrity of organic agricultural products by consistently implementing organic standards and enforcing compliance with the regulations throughout the world. Learn more.

About the NOP Organic Insider

The NOP Organic Insider is intended to inform the organic community on a wide range of NOP functions, including organic standards, accreditation and international activities, compliance and enforcement, the National Organic Standards Board, training events, and the Cost Share program.

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