Release Date: September 2, 2020
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Media Contact: Rick
Hummell, Public Information Officer, (608) 224-5041
Richard.Hummell@wisconsin.gov
MADISON
– Organic food processors and producers have until October 31, 2020 to apply
for reimbursement of costs related to organic certification through the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program, administered
by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
(DATCP).
These
funds provide cost-share rebates to producers or handlers of organic agricultural
products who currently are certified or are working toward certification.
Funding for the program originated in the 2002 Federal Farm Bill and was
renewed in the 2014 and 2018 Federal Farm Bills.
Eligible
producers or handlers may receive rebates for 50 percent of their certification
costs up to a maximum of $500 per certification category. Due to changes made
by USDA, this is a decrease from rebates of 75 percent and $750 in previous
years. A total of $586,000 is available to WI processors and producers through
the organic cost share reimbursement program. In 2019, under the previous rules,
DATCP reimbursed 863 requests totaling $955,000.
Reimbursable
costs must be receipted by the certifying agency during the period of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020 and can
include any certification-related expenses such as inspection fees and user
fees. Late fees or other penalties or membership fees are not eligible.
Application
materials and instructions are available online here.
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