USDA grants $577,325 to Vermont Agency of Agriculture to reimburse organic producers for certification costs
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) announced, Tuesday, Aug. 6, that the Farm Service Agency (FSA) of the USDA has awarded $577,325 to the state of Vermont as a part of the Organic Certification Cost Share Program. The application is now open for certified operations to apply for these funds.
“The Organic Certification Cost Share Program provides valuable funds that help offset the certification costs which impact Vermont’s vibrant organic agriculture sector each year,” said Anson Tebbetts, Vermont’s Secretary of Agriculture.
Certified organic operations may receive reimbursement of up to 75% of their direct certification costs paid between Oct. 1 and Sept. 30 annually, not to exceed $750 per certification scope. There are up to four eligible certification scopes (crops, livestock, wild crops, and handling), which must be individually inspected for organic certification to be eligible for reimbursement.
Reimbursable costs include application fees; inspection fees, including travel costs and per diem for organic inspectors; USDA organic certification costs; user fees/sale assessments; and postage.
Funds are available on a first come, first served basis. Funds under this program are reduced from past years and are expected to run out. Application deadline is Oct. 31, 2024.
For more info, visit: agriculture.vermont.gov/grants/organiccostshare.
