media release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2012
Contact: Christi
Lightcap, (303) 239-4190, Christi.lightcap@ag.state.co.us
Financial Assistance Available for Organic
Certification
LAKEWOOD, Colo. –The United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, has entered in to a cooperative agreement with the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry, to distribute cost-share reimbursements to organic producers and handlers.
In order to qualify for this year’s reimbursement producers and handlers must have received certification or continuation of certification by a USDA accredited certifying agent commencing October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012.
Under the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, cost share assistance payments are limited to 75 percent of an individual producer’s or handler’s certification costs up to a maximum of $750.00 per year per category of certification. These funds will be distributed until exhausted on a first come first serve basis. The deadline for submitting application is October 31, 2012.
Applications for the reimbursements should be submitted after your certification process is complete and all fees have been paid. Proof of certification and certification fees paid must be submitted with your application.
CDA is accredited by the USDA as an organic state certifier
under the National Organic Program and currently certifies approximately 185
For copies of the cost assistance forms, visit www.colorado.gov/ag/dpi or call Barbara Rosenbach at (303) 239-4139.
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