Nebraska

Greg Ibach, director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA), announced Aug. 3 that Nebraska will receive funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to aid the state's organic producers and processors with certification costs.

"Nebraska's organic industry is continually growing. This cost-share program will provide an incentive for the industry to continue its growth," said Director Ibach. "Nebraska producers were able to utilize $25,000 in funds from this program in 2003."

Authorized by the 2002 farm bill, the National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program is designed to assist producers and handlers of agriculture products in obtaining certification under the national organic guidelines. Those guidelines require certification and compliance with national standards in order to sell, label or represent agricultural products as organic. Producers and handlers can receive reimbursement for up to 75 percent of the costs of obtaining certification, with a maximum payment of $500. The actual cost-share amount will be based on a percentage of the total the applicant paid for certification. Nebraska has received $35,000 in federal funds for reimbursement to eligible participants.

Applicants must have incurred costs for organic certification or renewal certification between Oct. 1, 2004, and September 30, 2005, in order to be eligible for cost-share reimbursement. The funds will be reimbursed in the order applications are received until the monies are exhausted or until the eligibility period ends.

To find out more about the program, Nebraska's organic producers and handlers should call NDA at 402-471-4876 or 800-422-6692. Information is also available online at www.agr.ne.gov, under Promotion/Development.

Date: 8/25/05