Assistance for Organic Growers

There is still money left for partial reimbursement for the costs associated with becoming certified as an organic grower. See the information below for more details.

NCDA&CS offers organic certification cost-share assistance

RALEIGH – Organic growers in North Carolina can apply for partial reimbursement of the cost of becoming certified or recertified producers through a program offered by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Growers who have been certified or recertified since Sept. 30, 2010 can apply for assistance. The program will pay 75% of the cost of certification up to a total of $750.

The program is for the 2010-2011 season, and is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the deadline to apply for reimbursement is Sept. 30, 2011.

To apply, growers must fill out an authorization form that can be found online at www.ncdaorganic.org. The completed form, a copy of the farm’s certification, a copy of the receipts from the certifying agency and an IRS W-9 form should be mailed to the NCDA&CS Division of Marketing, Attn. Heather Barnes, 1020 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1020.

Growers with questions can call Barnes at (919) 707-3127.