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For Immediate Release: August 26, 2009
Contact: Lynne Richmond
(609) 633-2954

(TRENTON) – New Jersey organic producers and handlers may be eligible for reimbursement of a portion of their organic certification costs under a federal program.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is participating in the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Organic Certification Cost Share Program.  Each qualified operation is eligible for a reimbursement of up to 75 percent of its costs of certification not to exceed $750.  Certification costs include fees and charges levied by the certifying agent for certification activities.

To qualify for reimbursement under this program, an organic handler or producer must have been inspected and certified or inspected and receiving continuation of certification during the period of October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2009.  Certification must be through a USDA-accredited certifying agent.

In the event that demand exceeds the amount of funds allocated to New Jersey, applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis.  In the case of multiple certifications, excluding renewal of certification, only one payment shall be made to the operation.

Applications must be received by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture no later than Friday, November 13, 2009.  Applications and more information about the program are available online at www.nj.gov/agriculture/grants/organiccostshare.html.

Please contact Melissa Spakosky with any questions at (609) 984-2225 or Melissa.spakosky@ag.state.nj.us.