National Program May Help Cover Certification Cost

Need help financing your organic certification? You may be able to qualify for as much as 75 percent of the cost (up to $500) under the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program.

If you are interested, contact Vernon Mullins, Organic Program Manager for the Georgia Department of Agriculture, by e-mail at vmullins@agr.state.ga.us or by phone at (706) 595-3408.

Applications will be mailed to certified organic growers, processors, and handlers who have expressed an interest.

Organic producers, handlers and processors must be certified by a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) accredited certifying agent.  The cost share program is on a first come, first served basis for qualified applicants.  Applications must be submitted no later than September 30, 2008.  Interested persons should apply as soon as possible because only $10,000 is available.

Funding for the cost share program is administered by The National Organic Program of USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) in cooperation with the state agencies agreeing to participate. These agencies determine the qualification of each applicant.