State to reimburse up to 75 percent
of organic certification costs

ALBANY - New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker announced the renewal of the States Organic Certification Reimbursement Program, which reimburses certified organic producers and processors for a portion of their annual organic certification costs.

Since 2001, the department has offered reimbursements to certified organic producers, as part of the National Organic Cost Share Program. Funded annually by the United States Department of Agriculture, this year New York will receive $450,000 in federal funds to provide reimbursement for organic certification for New York's organic farmers for the period Oct. 1, 2008 through Sept. 30, 2009.

For the first time since 2005, New York will also receive funds from USDA to provide reimbursement for organic processors and handlers for two certification periods: Oct. 1, 2007 through Sept. 30, 2008 and Oct. 1, 2008 through Sept. 30, 2009.

Under New York's Organic Certification Reimbursement Program, eligible farmers and processors can be reimbursed 75 percent, up to a maximum of $750, for initial certification or certification renewal costs with third party certifying organizations.

Interested producers and processors must complete the appropriate Organic Certification Reimbursement Program application form and submit it to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets in order to be considered for reimbursement. Funding is distributed to eligible applicants on a first come, first served basis. The application forms can be obtained by calling (518) 485-0048 or by visiting www.agmkt.state.ny.us/AP/organic/.

The application must include a copy of the organic certification or renewal certificate from a USDA approved certifying agency, along with proof of payment. A list of certifying agencies can be found by visiting www.agmkt.state.ny.us/AP/organic/.

In New York state, there are 750 certified organic farmers and producers and 200 certified organic processors and handlers. Currently, three-quarters of certified farmers in New York state participate in the reimbursement program, which is one of the highest rates of participation in the country. For the last program period, which ended Sept. 30, 2008, reimbursements totaled $248,900 for the 540 farmer applicants who qualified to participate. The average reimbursement was $461 per farm.

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