Organic Integrity from Farm to Table Consumers Trust the Organic Label
Announcement
May 19, 2015
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is pleased to announce new funding and outreach materials for the 2015 Organic Certification Cost Share Programs
as well as a new webinar series by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) on the environmental benefits of organic agriculture.
2015 Organic Certification Cost Share Programs
The AMS National Organic Program (NOP) has allocated approximately $11.9 million to participating state departments of agriculture to help defray the costs of organic certification incurred by organic producers and processors. Reimbursements to organic operations will be made under the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Certification Cost Share Program or the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP).
AMA has $900,000 for producers in 16 participating states.
NOCCSP has approximately $11 million available for producers and processors in participating states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. Learn more by contacting your state department of agriculture.
New Organic Certification Cost Share Program Outreach Materials
With the goal of increasing program participation rates, the AMS NOP is releasing the following new or updated outreach materials to promote the organic certification cost share programs
Environmental Benefits of Organic Systems Webinar Series
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is hosting a four-part webinar series exploring the environmental benefits of organic agriculture. The series will be moderated by Betsy Rakola, Organic Policy Advisor, US Department of Agriculture.
The first webinar entitled "Energy and Climate Change" will be on Thursday May 21st at 1 p.m. EST. It will present scientific research examining the energy and climate change benefits of organic farming practices. The speaker will be Erin Silva, Assistant Professor, Organic and Sustainable Cropping Systems Specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Pre-registration is not required for this webinar session.
USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) facilitates the competitive and efficient marketing of agricultural products. Through its National Organic Program, AMS facilitates trade and ensures the integrity of organic agricultural products by consistently implementing organic standards and enforcing compliance with the regulations throughout the world. Learn more.
About the USDA Organic Insider
The USDA Organic Insider informs the organic community on a wide range of functions, including regulatory updates, requests for public comments, and USDA programs and services.
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