By LINDA McGURK
Indiana Correspondent

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Organic producers in Indiana may be able to recoup some of their certification costs, thanks to the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program.

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) has received money from USDA’s Agricultural Management Assistance Program to fund the cost-share program, and is currently accepting applications from eligible producers who were certified or recertified between Oct. 1, 2008, and Sept. 30, 2009.

“We’ll keep handing out funds until they run out,” said Amy Eizinger-Ott, ISDA grants coordinator. “We get a set amount each year and so far we’ve always used up all the funds we’ve received.”
The cost-share program was established in 2002 and allocates funds in proportion to the number of organic producers in each state. The program reimburses producers for up to 75 percent of their certification costs, not to exceed $750.

To be eligible, producers must comply with USDA National Organic Program regulations for organic production and have received certification or continuation of certification by a USDA-accredited certifying agent. Funds are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

“This is an additional resource for organic producers to help them cover the cost of growing organic produce. It’s also a great way to help ensure that those producers meet all the requirements for organic production,” Eizinger-Ott said. “We hope to be able to offer the program again next year.”

Cissy Bowman, director of Indiana Certified Organic, estimates there are 100-150 organic farms and operations in the state, ranging from small vegetable gardens and seed handlers to coffee roasters and, most recently, a brewery. That’s about twice as many as there were in 2002, when the cost-share program was implemented.

“Not all of them will apply for the cost-share.

We have a lot of Amish producers, and they won’t ask for government money,” she said.

Bowman added most farmers in Indiana probably haven’t incurred enough expenses to receive the full $750, but said the program is popular because it’s easy to apply for and reimburses the producer for a significant part of the certification costs.

“The cost-share is a blessing for the farmers,” Bowman said. “I go out of my way to inform all my clients about it.”

For more information on how to apply for the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program, go to www.in.gov/isda and click on “Entrepreneurship” or contact Amy Eizinger-Ott at aeizinger-ott@isda.in.gov or by calling 317-232-8770.

Published on Sept. 30, 2009