MDA Organic Specialist Meg Moynihan is reminding Minnesota organic farmers and processors to apply for a rebate of up to 75 percent of the cost of their organic certification.  

"Organic growers and processors who sell more than $5,000 of organic agricultural products are legally required to obtain certification at their own expense which can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per year," says Moynihan. "This cost is unique to organic farms and businesses and can be a financial burden to some of them. I strongly encourage them to apply for this cost-share program."  

To qualify, applicants must be certified by a USDA-accredited certifying agency. Certified organic operations are eligible for reimbursement of 75 percent of certification-related costs they incurred during the period between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011, up to a maximum of $750 per category of certification (crop, livestock, processing/handling, wild harvest).

Costs incurred after September 30, 2011 are not eligible for the current rebate program, but can be submitted next year. The deadline to apply for the Organic Cost Share Program is October 31, 2011.

The MDA has already mailed application packets to more than 900 certified organic operations in the state. Any certified organic farmer or processor who did not receive a packet can obtain the materials on the MDA's web site www.mda.state.mn.us/organic or by calling 651-201-6012. Along with their cost share applications, organic farmers are invited to supply information about the products they sell for the upcoming edition of the Directory of Minnesota Organic Farms.