Funding available for organic certification

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that $11.5 million is available nationally in Farm Bill funding for organic certification cost-share assistance.

The certification assistance is meant to help cover up to 75 percent, or up to $750, of the costs incurred by an individual producer or handler for organic-certification from Oct. 1, 2013 through Sept. 30, 2014.

To apply for cost-share assistance and to learn more about the requirements, contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant industry, Organic Program, by calling (303) 869-9074 or emailing Amy.Stafford@state.co.us. For program guidelines and information, visit www.ams.usda.gov/NOPCostSharing.