OpportunityTitle: Agricultural Management Assistance Organic Certification Cost-Share Program FY 2013
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: Only State departments of agriculture or their equivalents in Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming are eligible to apply for these funds.
Description: This Organic Certification Cost-Share Program is part of the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Program authorized under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (FCIA), as amended, (7 U.S.C. 1524). Under the applicable FCIA provisions, the Department is authorized to provide cost-share assistance to organic producers in the States of Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. The AMS has allocated $1,352,850 for this organic certification cost-share program in Fiscal Year 2013. This program provides financial assistance to organic producers certified under the USDA Organic Regulations (7 CFR 205), which were authorized under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, as amended (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.). To participate in the program, eligible States, through their State Departments of Agriculture, must complete an Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424). State Department of Agriculture refers to agencies, commissions, or departments of State government responsible for implementing regulation, policy or programs on agriculture within their State. The program will provide cost-share assistance, through participating States, to organic crop and livestock producers receiving certification or incurring expenses for the continuation of certification by a USDA accredited certifying agent during the period of October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014. The Department has determined that payments will be limited to 75% (seventy-five percent) of an individual producer&#146;s certification costs, up to a maximum of $750 (seven-hundred and fifty dollars). To receive cost-share assistance, organic producers in participating States should contact their State agencies. Procedures for applying are outlined in the cost share policies and procedures at http://1.usa.gov/OrganicCostShare. The total amount of cost-share payments provided to any eligible producer under all AMA programs cannot exceed $50,000.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: rita.meade@ams.usda.gov
GrantorContactText: Rita Meade, Cost Share Coordinator &lt;br/&gt;(202) 720-3252 &lt;br/&gt;