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Organic Certification Assistance is Available

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced that approximately $11.9 million in organic certification assistance is available through state departments of agriculture to make organic certification more affordable for organic producers and handlers across the country.

“The organic industry saw record growth in 2014, accounting for more than $39 billion in retail sales in the United States,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The organic certification cost share programs help more organic businesses succeed and take advantage of economic opportunities in this growing market.”

To receive cost share assistance, certified organic producers and handlers should contact their appropriate state agencies via the contact information on the National Organic Program’s (NOP) cost share website: ams.usda.gov/NOPCostSharing. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as these funds are only available through Sept. 30, 2015.