02/02/09 Reimbursing Organic

Reimbursing Organic. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. Many ag producers have been making the move to organic. Tree fruit and vine fruit alike and if it something you are thinking about there is some financial incentive according to Miles McEvoy, WSDA's Organic Program Manager. McEVOY: In the 2002 Farm Bill the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program was established to help with organic producers and handlers with the cost of organic certification. This was as the U.S. National Organic program was being established. A lot of businesses were incurring new fees for complying with these federal rules. There were not enough funds included in the cost share program which ran out of money in 2006. McEVOY: So in the 2008 Farm Bill the put in an additional $22-million dollars for the next 5-year period of time to help with the cost of organic certification. And this pays up to 75% of the cost of organic certification up to a maximum payment of $750. It really helps out those beginning organic farms and those smaller organic farms and handlers that are just getting into organic production. The process to get certified organic is complex but the program is also available for recertification as well. McEVOY: As part of that process there is a cost share application that just has some basic information. We verify that the fees have been paid and that the operation has been certified and then you get 75% of that fee back. Application forms are available on our website That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.