The USDA Organic Insider

Quick Links
Join Our List
Join Our Mailing List
Our Vision
Organic Integrity from Farm to Table
Consumers Trust the Organic Label
AnnouncementMay 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

Press Release

 

USDA Organic Blog

 

New Fact Sheet

 

Post Card and Mailer for Certified Operations

 

Post Card and Mailer for Operations Transitioning to Organic Practices

 

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.

Audio is VOIP only.  Learn more and join the webinar.

 

About the Agricultural Marketing Service

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.

You are receiving this email because you elected to receive selected updates from the Agricultural Marketing Service. You may manage your profile to receive additional updates or unsubscribe at any time by using the links below.