Certified organic growers and handlers in Florida have until Oct. 15, 2010, to apply to Florida Organic Growers (FOG) for reimbursement of up to 75 percent of certification costs, or a maximum of $750. Reimbursement for certification costs paid between Oct. 1, 2009, and Sept. 29, 2010, will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted.
To qualify for the organic certification cost share reimbursement, an operator must have certified organic farm or production facilities in Florida, must hold an organic certificate issued by a USDA accredited certification agency issued during the period specified, and must not have received any duplicate reimbursement.
The 2008 Farm Bill provided funding for the USDA AMS National Organic Certification Cost Share Program. USDA AMS enters into agreements with state departments of agriculture to administer the program within each department’s state. FOG operates the program for Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
The Certification Cost Share Program assists growers in recovering some of the cost associated with being certified organic, hopefully encouraging more growers to adopt organic production practices.
For more information contact Florida Organic Growers at 352.377.6345, email fog@foginfo.org or visit www.foginfo.org/certcostshare.
Mary Beth Henry
Small Farms/Pesticide Licensing
Extension Agent I, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County
1702 HWY. 17 S, Bartow, FL 33831 T: 863.519.8677 x 102 F: 863.534.0001
mbhenry@ufl.edu http://polksmallfarms.com http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu/
No Farmers No Food
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