NOV. 11, 2002:
According to the November 1, 2002 federal register,
"The Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) has allocated
$5 million to the National Organic Certification Cost
Share Program. This program provides financial assistance
to organic crop or livestock producers and handlers
"to become certified under the National Organic
Standards program." The money will be available
to "all interested states" but states must
apply before the December 31, 2002 deadline to become
eligible. Once eligible states can allocate up to $500
(or 75% of costs) to their individual producers to offset
costs of certification. Contact your state agriculture
department today and make sure they are beginning the
application process. States wanting to participate should
contact Robert Pooler, Marketing Specialist - National
Organic Program to obtain necessary applications and
information. He can be reached at (202) 720-3252 or
email bob.pooler@usda.gov To read the announcement from
the federal registry see: http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/StatePrograms/CostShare.html
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